Oct.20 (GMM) Pressure is building around Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac, with Ralf Schumacher bluntly saying the Finn should leave Formula 1 as Esteban Ocon continues to be linked with his seat.
“He should stay home and go cycling,” Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.
The jibe was aimed partly at Bottas’ passion for cycling, but f1-insider.com also claims his recent ride from Malaysia to Singapore was not agreed with new Cadillac team boss Marcin Budkowski.
That detail feeds wider speculation about the relationship between the pair.
Budkowski is known to rate Ocon highly from their time together at Alpine, while Bottas and Sergio Perez were both signed under former team boss Graeme Lowdon before Budkowski took over.
On track, Bottas has also struggled to build a convincing case.
He is roughly level with Perez in qualifying, but has generally been weaker in races and has finished ahead of the Mexican only once.
The biggest obstacle to any change is contractual.
Bottas insists he has a deal for 2027, while reports suggest removing him would require a substantial payout at a time when Cadillac owner TWG is already facing financial pressures.
“I have a contract and I’ll be here in 2027,” Bottas insisted recently.
And in a new interview with the Financial Times, the 37-year-old certainly sounds as though he expects to continue.
“We are definitely seeing an improvement somewhere every weekend,” he said.
“It’s not necessarily in the results yet, but it’s in how we operate as a team in different areas.”
Bottas also praised Cadillac’s new Silverstone facilities, describing the factory as the most impressive he has encountered in Formula 1.
“I would say so,” he replied when asked if it was better than Mercedes’ setup.
When asked if he could imagine stepping out of the cockpit but remaining with Cadillac in another role, he replied immediately: “Never say never, but hopefully that’s far away.”
“With all the hard work I’m putting in at Cadillac I eventually want to see the results of it.”
“If I compare myself with Fernando or Lewis, I should still have some years left.”
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience the thrill of the Canadian Grand Prix with Grand Prix Tours! Feel the excitement of Formula 1 as the world's best drivers battle it out on Montreal's iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Explore the vibrant city, enjoy unforgettable race weekend experiences, and soak up the electric atmosphere. Make your Canadian Grand Prix getaway one to remember with our exclusive travel packages. Secure your spot today!
SHOW PACKAGES