Valtteri Bottas appears to be returning to the grid with Cadillac in 2026, but Ralf Schumacher warned the new Formula 1 team that the driver lineup is “the smallest issue.”
Rumor Mill has been sent to Overdrive for the past six months after the announcement of Formula 1 that Cadillac will join Grid as the 11th team in 2026.
The American outfit is busy preparing for their debut season, but they haven’t announced their lineup of 2026 F1 drivers yet.
Bottas, who is not currently on the grid after being replaced by Gabriel Boltreto at Sauber, is deeply connected to his return to sports full time with Cadillac.
It has been reported by R365 and Formula.hu that Cadillac has signed the first driver to Bottas.
The 10-time Grand Prix winner continues to operate in the Formula 1 paddock as a Mercedes test and reserve driver.
Bottas also coached Kimi Antoneri during his rookie campaign.
However, the identity of Bottas’ teammates at Cadillac is still unknown.
But all the signs show Sergio Perez’s return to sensational sports as a teammate of Bottas.
In an interview with Bild, Schumacher pointed out that Cadillac’s driver lineup should be the smallest priority as it embarks on the big challenge of participating in the pinnacle of Motorsport.
“Drivers are the least problematic,” Schumacher said.
“They only have 400 people, they need to build an entire team, and that’s very ambitious.
“I’m looking forward to it, but it’s going to be a big sporting challenge. Will they stand up like Phoenix from the ashes or will they stay grounded?”
Driver Cadillac is set to snub
Cadillac stole many other drivers as Valtteri Bottas are set up to join the team.
Perez is currently a favorite to be Bottas’ teammate next year, potentially forming a lineup for the All Valley.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fans are undoubtedly keen to see who won in 2026.
Mick Schumacher is a potential candidate to join Cadillac, and the German revealed earlier this year that the discussion was “positive.”
Schumacher has been off the grid since 2022, but has since played roles with Mercedes and Alpine.
Mick Schumacher
Schumacher’s hope of returning to full-time seems to be over as Cadillac appears to be no longer an option.
Schumacher is currently competing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.
Staying at WEC is Schumacher’s best bet to make a successful motorsport career.
The chances of Felipedradovic getting an opportunity in F1 in the end took a major blow.
The 2022 Formula 2 champions were waiting for the bystanders as Aston Martin’s Test and Reserve Driver.
Like Schumacher, Dragovich should focus on endurance races, not on chances in Formula 1.
Frederik Vesti was named Graeme Lowdon in an interview with a high-performance podcast earlier this year.
Although Vesti is part of the Mercedes family, Cadillac reportedly never took him seriously.
Lodon also mentioned Arvid Linblad, who is likely to step up to Formula 1 with the Racing Bulls next year.
American IndyCar star Colton Hertha was also mentioned, but the ongoing problem with his super license means he’s not in the frame.
Herta will continue to focus on IndyCar over the next few years.