In the latest twist in the ever-changing world of Formula 1, Mercedes has prevented newcomer Cadillac from accelerating its debut programme with star signing Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver, who is set to partner Sergio Pérez when the American squad joins the grid, has been prevented from testing with his new team ahead of the 2026 season.

According to reports from GP Blog, Cadillac had hoped to integrate Bottas into its operations early on, but Mercedes has shut down this idea. The Silver Arrows, who still hold Bottas under contract as a reserve driver, are said to have vetoed any chance of him sampling a Cadillac in advance. Bottas himself, perhaps with one eye on contractual obligations and another on future goodwill, appears to have agreed with the decision of the Stuttgart-based team.

This leaves Cadillac with a small conundrum. While they are permitted to conduct limited mileage in an older Formula 1 car under the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, their first-choice driver cannot participate. Instead, the US outfit must rely on alternative options, with Sergio Pérez and Colton Herta set to shoulder the early workload.

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Cadillac’s Ferrari detour

For Cadillac, the pathway into Formula 1 has never been straightforward. Entering the world’s most politically charged motorsport requires as much paddock diplomacy as car speed. Reports suggest that Cadillac will conduct its permitted testing using a Ferrari chassis — a curious twist that will likely raise a smile among Ferrari fans, but raise an eyebrow or two among Mercedes supporters.

Using a Ferrari for TPC outings is permitted under FIA rules and is designed to allow new teams to familiarise themselves with the logistical ballet of a race weekend. This involves setting up garages, rehearsing pit stops and running through race operations, all of which are part of the dry run before their bespoke machine touches the track.

The reason why Mercedes felt compelled to prevent Bottas from joining such sessions is unclear. One possible explanation is contractual obligations; another is the desire to keep their own data in-house. While not confirmed, the latter suspicion has long been part of the murky world of Formula 1 politics.

 

Simulator soldiers

If Cadillac cannot have Bottas in a real car until after the 2025 season, at least they have no shortage of drivers willing to help. Sergio Pérez, with his decade-plus of Formula 1 experience, offers a steadying hand, while Colton Herta continues to prove his worth behind the scenes. The Californian has reportedly provided extensive input in the simulator, with his data already informing the design of Cadillac’s debut car.

For Herta, who has long been tipped as America’s greatest hope in Formula 1, these early contributions could be pivotal. Although he has not yet been confirmed as a full-time race driver, he has certainly placed himself in a strong position to step in should Cadillac require more than two names on their roster.

The exact timing of Cadillac’s maiden test remains under wraps. What is known, however, is that Bottas will not be present, which dampens the excitement surrounding their preparations.

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Mercedes are playing hardball

This reflects Mercedes’ enduring ability to influence events. Although Bottas has been sidelined in recent years, his presence within the Mercedes reserve structure gives the team leverage. By preventing the Finn from participating in Cadillac’s warm-up operations, Mercedes are safeguarding their own interests and reminding the paddock that contracts are not to be taken lightly.

It is somewhat surprising that Bottas, a driver with 200 Grands Prix under his belt, has accepted the decision without protest. Yet perhaps this is a sign of the pragmatic Finn’s character. He has endured his fair share of awkward team dynamics over the years, not least when paired against Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. For him, waiting a year before Cadillac’s full arrival might be preferable to causing offence.

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The Cadillac conundrum

For Cadillac, this setback is more symbolic than material. Their car has not yet been built, and a Ferrari TPC mule will not reveal the secrets of their future chassis. However, Bottas’ absence from early operational testing means their first season could begin with an element of rust. Integrating a new driver into a new team is always challenging, and delaying the process until 2026 introduces additional risk.

Ultimately, this is also a test of Cadillac’s political mettle. Simply turning up with an engine and a cheque book is not enough to enter Formula 1. It requires navigating the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that define the sport. In their first clash with an established powerhouse, Cadillac have found that the old guard does not play nice.

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The drama has only just begun

If Formula 1 history teaches us anything, it is that contractual disputes are every bit as entertaining as on-track battles. The Cadillac–Mercedes dispute has all the hallmarks of a classic: one team is keen to get ahead while the other is ensuring that the game remains firmly in their court.

One can picture Toto Wolff, leaning back in his Stuttgart office, chuckling softly as the Cadillac team pleads for Bottas’ release. The Austrian is unlikely to let a valuable asset join a rival team without gaining maximum advantage. After all, Bottas spent years dutifully holding Hamilton’s champagne bottle at Mercedes, so perhaps Toto feels a sense of nostalgic ownership.

Meanwhile, for Cadillac, the symbolism of testing a Ferrari while their future driver remains tied to Mercedes borders on parody. The Americans came to Formula 1 to wave the Stars and Stripes, only to discover that they must borrow an Italian horse and wait for a Finnish driver who is currently employed by the Germans. If this were not real life, Netflix would already have scripted it.

Herta, of course, may secretly be delighted. Every additional mile he completes in a Cadillac car enhances his credibility as the man who could finally end America’s Formula 1 drought. If Bottas remains on the bench until 2026, who’s to say the team won’t reconsider their pecking order? Stranger things have happened in Formula 1, a sport that once employed Pastor Maldonado not for his speed, but for his sponsorship dollars.

So where does this leave Cadillac? On the one hand, they still have an experienced line-up with Pérez and Bottas, as well as Herta’s youthful enthusiasm. On the other hand, however, they remain hostage to Formula 1 politics, where contracts are weapons and cooperation is rare.

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MORE F1 NEWS – Norris attacks Verstappen and Monza race stewards

Lando Norris left the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza with more than just another podium finish under his belt. He also left with a fresh grievance with Formula One’s race stewards, and with Max Verstappen, too — not for the first time. The opening metres of the Italian Grand Prix on 7 September 2025 provided enough drama to fuel McLaren’s debrief for several days and enough colourful radio chatter to remind everyone that Norris is not afraid to speak his mind.

The McLaren driver had lined up alongside Verstappen on the front row, angling his car optimistically towards the first chicane. He got off to a sharp start, momentarily nosing ahead of the reigning champion. However, Verstappen, as he has done countless times before, closed the door with an uncompromising shove that left Norris scrabbling across the Monza grass. “What’s that idiot doing? He pushed me into the grass!’ was Norris’s immediate reaction over the team radio, his words providing a raw soundtrack to the early skirmish. For all the smiles off the track, when he has his helmet on, Norris is no stranger to bluntly assessing his peers.

After the race, he remained unconvinced. When asked whether Verstappen had left him enough space at the start, he offered a dry retort: ‘Well, all four wheels were off the track, so I’ll take that as a no. But I also expect that to some extent. I expect a tough defence on the limit.” He added, however, “I don’t think you can just push people into the dirt. He knew from the outset that I was beside him. I had the better launch, and he knew that too.” It was the classic Verstappen–Norris paradox: mutual respect laced with simmering frustration…. READ MORE