The Formula 1 driver market hasn’t burst into life in the same way as last season, when it dominated the off-track conversation.
The grid looks very different this season compared to last year, with six rookies taking part in their first F1 campaigns, and the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz leading the changes in the driver market.
Mercedes look set to confirm George Russell’s new contract soon, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli set to join him, leaving only a few vacant seats for 2026.
2026 confirmed F1 drivers
Alpine need to decide who will be Pierre Gasly’s teammate next year, and only Max Verstappen has been confirmed out of the Red Bull-backed quartet for the upcoming season.
However, there are two more available seats on the grid for 2026, as Cadillac will make their Formula 1 bow in just a few months.
There are plenty of drivers putting their hats in the ring to drive for Graeme Lowdon’s team next season.
The American outfit haven’t confirmed either of their drivers for next year yet, but journalist Julianne Cerasoli believes one driver looks ‘guaranteed’ to be in one of their cars.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Photo by Andrea Diodato/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesValtteri Bottas looks ‘guaranteed’ to be racing for Cadillac during the 2026 Formula 1 season
Cerasoli answered a question on her YouTube channel about Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich’s chances of racing for Cadillac next season and said: “Perez is back in the running, Bottas is guaranteed.
“The short and honest answer is that I don’t know.
“The more complete answer is that apparently no one knows. There was a meeting at Cadillac last Tuesday with the board, GM, and the racing team as well, where they were going to discuss a series of things.
“It was a huge list, and one of the things on that list was the direction regarding the drivers, which is what no one knows.
“And even the people around Bottas were saying that we didn’t hear anything else.
“After that, right, Bottas was the one who was closer [to the seat] because he had already discussed details of his contract.
“I want to remind you that Bottas had already discussed and finalised the details of his contract with Sauber last year.
“So, it’s one thing to finalise the details, and another to put your signature on paper.”
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Which driver ‘many people’ in the F1 paddock will join Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac next season?
Although Bottas appears to be Cadillac’s most likely driver for next season, as Cerasoli explained, the Finn, who retired from 28 races in his F1 career, hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Sauber instead went with impressive rookie Gabriel Bortoleto over Bottas this season, a decision that is being vindicated with his recent performances.
‘Many people’ in F1 think Bottas will be joined by Sergio Perez at Cadillac in 2026, with the two experienced drivers capable of giving Lowdon’s team the knowledge any new team needs to hit the ground running.
Valtteri Bottas’ Formula 1 career
Toto Wolff has backed Bottas to be on the grid soon and won’t block his attempts to leave Mercedes for a permanent seat elsewhere.
The 35-year-old has a fantastic record in Formula 1, but unlike Perez, who has seen his stock rise given the struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, Sauber have improved since Bottas’ exit.
That might be the only thing in the back of Cadillac bosses’ minds when considering whether to commit to the 10-time F1 race winner.