Bottas is facing stiff competition from another driver for the role

EX-FORMULA ONE star Valtteri Bottas has left fans convinced he has landed a new job after a pair of cryptic social media posts.

The Finn lost his F1 seat with Sauber at the end of the 2025 season and now operates as the Mercedes team reserve driver.

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Valtteri Bottas has convinced fans he will land a new job in F1 after some cryptic social media postsCredit: X

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Bottas was seen wearing a cowboy hat before spotting a topical car brandCredit: X

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His cameraman pointed to the Cadillac symbol at the front of the carCredit: X

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Bottas remarked it was a ‘nice seat’ as he touched the driver’s seatCredit: X

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The Finn then commented how there were two seats freeCredit: X

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Bottas was then asked if he wanted to drive it, to which he said, ‘Not yet’Credit: X
However, Lewis Hamilton’s old team-mate has been linked with reclaiming a spot on the grid when the paddock expands to accommodate Cadillac as the 11th F1 team for 2026.

And to that end, Bottas has left fans thinking an announcement over his future is imminent after he appeared to tease a partnership with the US luxury car manufacturer.

Taking to social media, Bottas first shared a pair of snaps of himself at a pool table wearing a cowboy-style hat at Silver City Aspen in Colorado.

But it was his second post which really got fans talking.

While out on a stroll, Bottas’ cameraman, Paul Ripke, pointed out a car ahead of them, before highlighting it was a Cadillac.

Having opened the door of the car, Ripke remarks: “That’s a nice seat.”

The 35-year-old then goes and touches the seat, saying: “Oh wow, that’s actually a nice seat.”

After a moment of looking inside the car, Ripke notes: “And there’s two seats.”

Bottas looks and then looks at Ripke, saying: “And they’re both free.”

He is then asked if he wants to sit in it, to which he replies: “Not yet.”

American manufacturer Cadillac is joining the F1 2026 grid in partnership with General Motors.

Bottas is one of the favourites to land one of the two new seats which will be up for grabs at the team next season, and would represent a wealth of experience with 246 race starts to his name, including ten wins and 19 poles.

And taking to the comments of Bottas’ post, fans now believe an announcement could be coming soon, with one saying: “A code?”

A second said: “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, without saying it?”

A third added: “That means what I think that means?”

Another said: “Please lord, I don’t ask for much!”

A fifth said: “Yeah he’s back for 26 isn’t he lol.”

Bottas is, of course, known to be very cheeky with his social media activity, so the tease should be taken with a pinch of salt for the time being.

Besides, he is facing stiff competition from the likes of Sergio Perez, who was axed by Red Bull in 2024.

Motorsport icon and ex-F1 world champion Mario Andretti – one of the directors of the new team – has already confirmed the team were looking at the Mexican driver to take one of the seats.

Speaking to Fox Sports in May, he said: “All I can tell you is that he’s [Perez] certainly one of the drivers that’s being considered. He has to be.

“I cannot divulge as to where we are with any commitment whatsoever — I think we want to keep that luxury to ourselves until we feel that we have scanned the entire spectrum of availability. I think that’s a prudent thing to do.”

Other drivers who have been linked include Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu, Alex Palou, and Colton Herta.

The next F1 race will is in Austria next weekend off the back of a double Mercedes podium in Canada, which saw George Russell take the win ahead of Max Verstappen and rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli.