Graeme Lowdon is finalising his first signing (Image: Getty)

Cadillac are reportedly set to announce Valtteri Bottas as their first signing next week. The Finnish racer has been in talks with Formula One’s newest team throughout the summer and has now allegedly secured his return to the grid. Bottas established himself as a world-class talent during his five-year stay with Mercedes, during which he clocked up 10 Grand Prix victories and finished second in the standings to Lewis Hamilton on two occasions.

George Russell’s arrival kicked him to the kerb at Brackley, but Bottas embarked on a new career adventure with perennial midfield runners Alfa Romeo. However, after an immense start to life with the Hinwil-based squad, performance dropped off, and following a tough 2023 campaign, he ended 2024 pointless, at the bottom of the standings.

Bottas remained in the paddock during his year on the sidelines, returning to Mercedes as a third driver. During this period, he negotiated with Cadillac and Alpine, chasing a full-time seat on the grid for the 2026 campaign.

According to a report from RacingNews365, Bottas has ‘reached a deal’ with the Cadillac team that will see him announced as their first F1 driver next week. It remains to be seen whether the Finnish racer will continue in his Mercedes third driver role for the remainder of the 2025 season.

What also remains to be seen is who will join Bottas in the Cadillac garage. Last week, PlanetF1 reported that six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Perez has ‘reached an agreement’ with Graeme Lowdon’s team to join their driver line-up.

Valtteri Bottas is heading for an F1 return (Image: Getty)

The 35-year-old has been contemplating a return to the grid since he was dropped by Red Bull in an unceremonious fashion at the end of the 2024 season. The Mexican racer has also been linked with the current 10th-placed Constructors’ Championship squad, Alpine.