Source: Official Team Post via X
Bottas Uncertain Amid Herta's Super Licence Gains
Valtteri Bottas acknowledges uncertainty about his future at Cadillac as Colton Herta qualifies for a Super Licence. Despite Bottas' confidence in his current position, the rumour mill speculates on potential changes.
Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas finds himself in a state of uncertainty as American racer Colton Herta secures the necessary points for an FIA Super Licence, making him eligible to compete in Formula 1. Herta achieved this milestone with his FP1 run at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, adding fuel to the speculation about his possible entry into F1.
While Bottas currently holds a seat at Cadillac, he admits that he is unsure how Herta's new qualification might affect his position. "Normally nothing should change for the future," Bottas remarked when asked about Herta's Super Licence achievement. However, he conceded that the future remains uncertain: "But for the future, I don’t know."
Herta's journey to securing a Super Licence was expedited with six FP1 sessions this season, as opposed to the mandatory four, due to his current performance in Formula 2. With Herta standing 19th in the Formula 2 rankings and unable to gain more points, Cadillac's decision to give him additional track time seems strategic.
Speculation has linked Herta to Bottas' seat, particularly as the Finn has struggled during the 2026 season, failing to score points and trailing behind teammate Sergio Perez, who has outperformed him in both qualifying and race finishes.
Cadillac's recent announcement of a new long-term contract for Perez, without mention of Bottas, adds another layer of intrigue. Bottas, despite having signed a multi-year deal with Cadillac, isn't entirely assured of his future. "I've been quite surprised about the amount of noise on that because I know what my situation is," Bottas said. "All I’ve heard is that the team has been happy with what I’m doing."
Yet, Bottas is aware of the competitive nature of Formula 1. "Everyone wants to be in Formula 1, and, if somebody sees an opportunity somewhere, they’re gonna try and go for it," he commented. Decisions about the future, he noted, require board approval, and he anticipates this meeting is still pending.
In the meantime, Bottas remains convinced that nothing has changed, at least until official decisions are made. The coming months will determine whether Herta's entry into the Super Licence club will impact Bottas' standing with Cadillac.