[Saba Sports News] Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have made their return to Formula 1 this season after a one-year absence. Some argue that Bottas has struggled to regain his form and adapt to the race pace. Just five rounds into the campaign, rumours emerged that Cadillac intended to drop him.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon firmly dismissed the claims, branding them completely groundless and untrue. In an interview with RacingNews365, Lowdon stated that the speculation was entirely false with no factual basis whatsoever. He pointed out that the two drivers shoulder a heavier workload than their counterparts at other teams. They compete in races while simultaneously assisting with the team’s establishment, an exceptionally demanding undertaking. The public does not fully understand the requirements placed on the drivers during every practice session and race, nor the support they need to provide for car development. The entire team is working relentlessly to boost the car’s performance.
Similar false narratives surfaced even before the season kicked off, claiming the team could not meet the F1 107% rule in qualifying. Some reports even suggested Cadillac would replace Bottas with reserve driver Colton Herta. However, the American driver does not currently hold the Super License required to compete in F1, meaning such rumours ignore the sport’s most basic regulations.
In my opinion, the talk of Bottas losing his seat is mostly typical paddock gossip or posturing during contract talks, rather than a genuine threat. Barring a sudden financial crisis at Cadillac, serious misconduct from Bottas, or a top sponsor mandating a new driver, he will most likely stay with the team through 2027.