Valtteri Bottas, currently a Mercedes reserve driver, has expressed skepticism about his chances of joining Red Bull as Max Verstappen’s teammate next season. Bottas revealed that key figures at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes operation are not enthusiastic about the idea of signing him, tempering expectations for a potential move.
After parting ways with Sauber, Bottas returned to Mercedes in 2025 but has yet to secure a full-time race seat. Several opportunities remain open for the Finnish driver, including talks with teams like Cadillac. However, despite Yuki Tsunoda’s contract expiring at the end of the current year, Bottas remains cautious about his prospects with Red Bull due to the internal resistance he perceives within the team.
Valtteri Bottas discusses challenges of joining Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen
On the ‘Beyond The Grid Podcast,’ Bottas opened up about the difficulties of becoming Verstappen’s teammate, acknowledging the high standards set by the reigning world champion. Bottas suggested that Red Bull’s decision-makers might not consider him a strong candidate, possibly because of a particular individual’s opinion.
“It just [got] put down quite quickly because I think there’s a certain person, or a person, within the Red Bull organization that for some reason is not a big fan of mine. I don’t know if they look outside their academy. They have so many drivers, they’ve got their junior team as well. It’s a tough one because it seems like it’s not an easy car to drive.”
—Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes reserve driver
“Obviously Max is doing the job. He’s really pushing almost beyond the limits of the car. And whoever has been alongside him hasn’t looked great. But I don’t know. I just wonder if that car, to be driven fast, needs a driver with experience. That’s my speculation, but I think they know that I’m keen to race. They know that I would be available for next year. But I don’t know their mindset on that.”
—Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes reserve driver
His cautious remarks recall the dramatic 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix incident where Bottas, then driving for Mercedes, was involved in a first-lap collision that notably affected Verstappen’s championship fight with Lewis Hamilton.
Exploring new possibilities: Bottas’s interest in Cadillac’s F1 venture
With Cadillac preparing to enter Formula 1 in 2026, Bottas has identified this new team as a promising opportunity. Rumors have linked him and other drivers like Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu to potential seats as Cadillac assembles its lineup. Bottas spoke to ESPN about his enthusiasm for the project, viewing it as a chance to contribute to a fresh start in Formula 1.
“I don’t think they’re in a massive rush. They’ve been very, very busy trying to get a car on the grid for next year. For me, I actually see a very interesting project, something new to F1: an American team with maybe a different view of the sport. If I were there as a driver, it would be actually very interesting because you can start from scratch.”
—Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes reserve driver
He also highlighted that his extensive experience could be vital for accelerating Cadillac’s growth in the sport. With new engine regulations slated for 2026, Bottas is determined to secure a competitive seat that allows him to race actively next season.
Impact of Bottas’s position on Red Bull and the broader F1 dynamic
Bottas’s uncertain standing with Red Bull underscores the team‘s cautious approach to driver selections, emphasizing internal loyalty and performance demands. The company’s junior drivers and academy graduates appear to take precedence, reinforcing Red Bull’s strategy of cultivating talent from within.
For Bottas, whose career includes highs with Mercedes and moments of controversy, including the Hungarian GP crash, the path back to a top-tier F1 seat is complex. His openness to Cadillac reflects a pragmatic approach to continuing his racing career amid changing team landscapes.
The 2026 season will mark significant shifts in power units and team entries, making it a pivotal moment for drivers like Bottas to redefine their futures. How these developments influence Red Bull’s driver lineup and Bottas’s role remains to be seen, but the Finnish driver’s candid reflections provide insight into the competitive realities behind the scenes.
