Formula 1’s ‘Silly Season’ is in full swing and one of the most sought after seats may be about to be filled.
The term is given to the time of year when the driver market explodes and 2025 is like no other with eight vacancies and even some of those with contracts eyeing a move.
Max Verstappen’s potential Mercedes move has taken the headlines, but elsewhere things are reaching decision time at Cadillac who are new on the grid for 2026.
In attendance at Silverstone ahead of the summer break when contracts tend to be signed, CEO Dan Towriss admitted there were some ‘clandestine meetings’ taking place behind the scenes.
Explaining what his American team are looking for from their two new drivers, he continued: “We really are looking at this experience for this first year, that’s so important in a new team.
“There are a lot of things to consider and we’re making sure to take our time and do our due diligence.”
Towriss then spoke about fan favourite Valtteri Bottas who recently posted a social media clip of himself admiring a Cadillac.
The Finn is also linked with Alpine, and when asked if that adds any pressure, Towriss said: “I don’t know about that. The daggers are out.
“Valtteri’s a very attractive driver from that standpoint for a Cadillac seat, obviously he’s a talented driver and there are opportunities but we’re confident in our process and how it’s going to shake out.”
Bottas has a massive 246 Formula 1 Grands Prix to his name which includes ten wins and five constructors’ championships with Mercedes.
He’s also a free agent, and discussed his future exclusively with talkSPORT.com shortly before Towriss spoke, stressing his experience.
“There are still many paid drivers, for sure, but I think there’s still space for drivers without money,” he said when asked about his next steps.
“For me at the moment, my strong point is my experience. Being racing in three different teams, especially being here.
“So that’s always going to be my strength. And there will be always teams that will need that experience.
“I hope that there’s still space for me. I think the next month or so will be quite interesting for me to figure out what’s really happening.”
Bottas, 35, is halfway through his first year without racing in any formula since he was a child and is working in a reserve role back with former team Mercedes.
Asked if he has a deadline for deciding his future, Bottas added: “I would say ideally before the August break.
“That’s a good deadline for me because then if it’s not Formula 1, which I hope is not the case, then I need to figure out what’s the next category.
F1 2026 driver line-up
| Team | Driver |
| Alpine | Pierre Gasly |
| Alpine | TBC |
| Aston Martin | Fernando Alonso |
| Aston Martin | Lance Stroll |
| Audi | Gabriel Bortoleto |
| Audi | Nico Hulkenberg |
| Cadillac | TBC |
| Cadillac | TBC |
| Ferrari | Lewis Hamilton |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc |
| Haas | Oliver Bearman |
| Haas | Esteban Ocon |
| McLaren | Lando Norris |
| McLaren | Oscar Piastri |
| Mercedes | TBC |
| Mercedes | TBC |
| Racing Bulls | TBC |
| Racing Bulls | TBC |
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen |
| Red Bull | TBC |
| Williams | Alex Albon |
| Williams | Carlos Sainz |
“It’s the pinnacle of motorsport so it’s always going to be the number one. There’s still many great categories, for example IndyCar, I think it’s a bit on the rise I would say.
“Many great other events. There’s always options. I love racing, I love driving. So I think for a long, long time from now I’ll be always racing something.”
Along with Bottas, former Red Bull man Sergio Perez is being linked to Cadillac and has both the necessary experience and financial backing to make the move a possiblity.
Another experienced fan favourite – Daniel Ricciardo – has ruled himself out of the running, admitting he’s ‘done with F1’ while speaking at an event.
