Cadillac 'decide between' Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as three more drivers ruled out
Decision day is rapidly approaching for F1's newest team.
Cadillac have reportedly decided to sign Valtteri Bottas ahead of Sergio Perez, with the Finn’s ‘commitment and personality’ sealing the deal. The 10-time Grand Prix winner has been pushing for a return to the grid since he was dropped by Sauber at the end of the 2024 campaign.
F1’s latest addition to the grid are one of the major players in this year’s silly season, and at the heart of discussions have been Bottas and Perez. Team principal Graeme Lowdon and other team representatives have made it clear that their preferred dynamic is an experienced head alongside a young prodigy, meaning a tough decision is on the cards. According to AutoAction, that decision has already been made. Allegedly, Bottas and Cadillac ‘agreed terms’ during the British Grand Prix weekend, although the 35-year-old hasn’t signed his contract with Lowdon’s squad just yet.
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This leaves Perez in a difficult position. The Mexican racer is still looking for a route back onto the F1 grid after his Red Bull contract was terminated prematurely in December. Seats elsewhere are in short supply, although he has been linked with a switch to Alpine, who are still searching for a long-term team-mate for Pierre Gasly.
Alongside Perez, a handful of other drivers are reportedly out of the running. Mick Schumacher has held discussions with Lowdon regarding a move and spoke positively about those conversations earlier in July.
However, according to the report, he has already been informed that he won’t be selected to represent the Cadillac brand. The same goes for Zhou Guanyu, who has been working as Ferrari’s test and reserve driver since losing his drive with Sauber.
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The Chinese racer comes with significant financial backing and is managed by team principal Lowdon, but his hopes of reuniting with former Sauber team-mate Bottas with the new American squad have been dashed.
There will also be no F1 return in store for Jack Doohan, whose father, Mick Doohan, was spotted in talks with Lowdon at Silverstone. The Australian was dumped by Alpine after just seven races, and despite allegedly putting together a sponsorship package, he looks unlikely to receive a second chance.
Instead, Felipe Drugovich looks well placed to capitalise on the vacancy at Cadillac. The Brazilian has been patiently waiting for an F1 opportunity since winning the Formula Two championship in 2022. The 25-year-old already has a relationship with the brand from his IMSA and WEC experiences.
