Just five races into a heavily disrupted 2026 Formula 1 season, speculation is mounting around the future of Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas, with reports suggesting his seat could be at risk for the 2027 World Championship. The season, marked by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has already seen Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli establish a dominant lead, while several experienced drivers, including Bottas, are yet to register a single point.
Bottas’s performances in the nascent 2026 campaign have drawn scrutiny, particularly given his current tally of zero points. He is one of only five drivers, alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, and his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez, who have yet to score. Furthermore, Bottas trails his teammate in their internal head-to-head record, holding a two-three split after the initial five rounds. Commentators at the recent Canadian Grand Prix openly discussed the Finn’s precarious position in F1 beyond 2026, despite Cadillac having offered no public indication of dissatisfaction or immediate plans for a replacement this year.
Colton Herta emerges as leading candidate
The whispers surrounding Bottas’s future have coalesced around one name: Colton Herta. The 26-year-old American, who serves as Cadillac’s test driver and is a prominent F2 star, is widely tipped to step into Bottas’s seat should a change occur. Herta’s stock is reportedly rising, according to Sky Sports Italia, which also highlighted Bottas’s strong risk of being cut for the 2027 season. In his most recent F2 outing in Montreal, Herta showcased his potential, securing ninth in the sprint race and seventh in the feature race, placing him 12th in the overall 22-man F2 drivers’ standings.
Cadillac initially sought an experienced lineup, committing to both Perez and Bottas for their F1 debut. Team principal Graeme Lowdon previously praised the benefits of their experienced duo, stating, “We are already reaping the benefits. You can see how both drivers help the mechanics with targeted feedback.” This sentiment, however, may be tested as the team reportedly has already selected a driver to potentially take Bottas’s seat for the future.
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Sky Sports Italia, citing market news from Roberto Chinchero, suggests that one of the two Cadillac drivers could be out. While Perez has made it clear he does not wish to retire, Bottas’s lack of points and the head-to-head deficit against his teammate place him squarely in the spotlight as the 2027 World Championship driver market begins to take shape.
Sources: www.sportbible.com, sport.sky.it
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