Mercedes star Valtteri Bottas makes feelings known about a 2026 IndyCar move

Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas has opened up about a potential switch to IndyCar in 2026. The 10-time Grand Prix winner was out of a full-time F1 seat at the end of 2024 after Sauber chose to not renew his contract.

Mercedes, who he raced for five years from 2017 to 2021, came to his rescue and announced him as their reserve driver for 2025 on December 19 last year. Though Bottas was extremely pleased to reunite with the Silver Arrows, his aim remains to land a full-time seat for 2026. However, if he fails to secure one, the Finn has his eyes set on signing with an IndyCar team.

In an interview with RacingNews365 published on January 3, Bottas spoke about this possibility and said:

"At the moment, I'm thinking, if Formula 1 for '26 wouldn't happen for some reason, then my focus probably would shift to IndyCar. So that's also something that could be interesting to try, at least, to do some testing. Whether it's an IndyCar race or a test, that's something that's really interesting."

In November 2024, Bottas admitted to receiving offers from IndyCar teams for the 2025 season. However, he felt an immediate jump to IndyCar after 12 years of F1 would bring a significant challenge, and thus, rejected them.

2024 was a huge disappointment for Bottas, who failed to score even a single point throughout the season. Sauber's severe lack of pace made F1 a tough place for him and his teammate Zhou Guanyu, who scored 4 points at the Qatar GP. Nico Hulkenberg and F2 champ Gabriel Bortoleto have replaced the duo for the 2025 season.

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Valtteri Bottas eyeing 2026 comeback with Cadillac F1

Valtteri Bottas at the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi - Source: Getty

The General Motors-backed Cadillac F1 team will enter the pinnacle of motorsport in 2026 as its 11th team. Led by Mario Andretti as its director, the American team is eyeing to pair a young American driver, preferably IndyCar's Colton Herta, with an experienced F1 driver.

This presents Valtteri Bottas with the perfect opportunity to revive his F1 career and aid Cadillac's development simultaneously. He revealed his interest in their project a week after the Mercedes reserve driver announcement. He said (via RacingNews365)

"Well, there's going to be two more seats (Cadillac in 2026). They need drivers, they need experience. So, of course, that's very, very interesting."

Bottas also spoke about having close relations with Cadillac's Team Principal Graeme Lowdon. The catch with Lowdon, however, was that he worked in the management team of Bottas' teammate Zhou Guanyu. But the Finn didn't perceive this as any hindrance.

"We have good relations with Graeme. I don't think it makes it more difficult for me. If anything, he's seen what I can do and bring to the team. So I see that as a possibility," he added.

The Mercedes door for Valtteri Bottas opened after Mick Schumacher left the reserve driver role to focus on his competitive racing career with Alpine for the World Endurance Championship.