Bottas hints at Mercedes stay for 2026 F1 season

Valtteri Bottas has hinted that his future in Formula 1 may still lie with Mercedes in 2026.

The 35-year-old Finn, who was dropped by Sauber at the end of last season, rejoined Mercedes as a full-time reserve driver for 2025. Bottas previously raced for the team between 2017 and 2021, claiming 10 grand prix wins as Lewis Hamilton's teammate.

While recent speculation linked Bottas with a potential race seat at Cadillac — the new eleventh F1 team joining the grid in 2026 — his latest comments suggest a continued connection with the Brackley-based outfit.

Speaking in Barcelona, Bottas revealed he will soon get behind the wheel of the Mercedes simulator — with a clear focus on the next-generation F1 regulations.

"I was supposed to do it two weeks ago," he told Soy Motor, "but the simulator wasn't working.

"I have a simulator day next week," he confirmed. "It will probably be my first time doing some work for 2026 and understanding what the differences are with 2025."

If Bottas were seriously in talks with Cadillac, it's unlikely Mercedes would provide him with early insight into the 2026 car — especially with Mercedes expected to produce a class-leading power unit under the new technical rules.