Valtteri Bottas Eyes 2026 F1 Comeback: "I’m Not Done Yet"

Valtteri Bottas has made it clear: he’s not hanging up his helmet just yet. Despite being left without a full-time race seat for 2025, the 10-time Grand Prix winner is determined to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2026.

After losing his Kick Sauber seat, Bottas took a reserve role with Mercedes—a familiar home—while keeping his sights firmly set on a comeback. Speaking on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, the Finn reaffirmed his passion for the sport and his belief that he still has more to offer.

“I definitely still feel—quite quickly after I knew I wouldn’t get a seat for this year—that I’m not done yet with F1,” Bottas said. “I still have more to give. It’s still [the] number one thing in my life.”

Bottas is eyeing a comeback to Formula 1

Bottas, who turns 36 in August, pointed to his performances late last season—some of the best of his career—as proof that he’s still competitive.

One of the most intriguing options on Bottas’s radar is the new Cadillac F1 project, an American outfit entering the sport in 2026 with backing from General Motors and TWG Motorsports. Bottas called the opportunity “very interesting,” highlighting the chance to shape a new team from the ground up:

“If I would be there as a driver, it would be actually very interesting because you can start from scratch. You could actually make a big influence on certain things, which direction to go, and that would be very motivating and rewarding when the success comes.”

Bottas also acknowledged ongoing discussions with Alpine—set to become a Mercedes customer team—and even admitted to having previously reached out to Red Bull. However, he hinted that internal politics and past incidents may be barriers there, especially given the challenging dynamic between Max Verstappen and his teammates.

“It’s a tough one because it seems like it’s not an easy car to drive,” Bottas said of the Red Bull. “I just wonder if that car, to be driven fast, needs a driver with experience.”

While Bottas’s next move remains uncertain, one thing is clear: his passion for racing burns brighter than ever. Whether it’s with Cadillac, Alpine, or another team, Bottas is determined to write a new chapter in his F1 story—and 2026’s new technical regulations could be the perfect moment to make his mark once again.

Stay tuned as the driver market continues to evolve—Bottas’s next move might just be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 season.