Bottas Backs Piastri for 2026 Title Amid Cadillac Return

Valtteri Bottas is set to return to the grid in 2026 with the new Cadillac team, and he has already picked his favorite for the championship should his own campaign fall short. The Finnish driver, who now resides in Australia, declared he is "rooting for my fellow Aussie" Oscar Piastri to take the title in the new regulatory era.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents the biggest regulatory reset in Formula 1 history, introducing active aerodynamics and a new power unit formula. With every team starting from a clean slate, the competitive order is up in the air. Bottas's endorsement of Piastri highlights the young McLaren driver's status as a genuine title contender, despite a challenging end to his 2025 campaign.

The details:

• Cadillac Return: After a year on the sidelines as a Mercedes reserve, Bottas joins the grid's newest outfit. The timing aligns perfectly with the rule changes, offering a rare opportunity to establish a team's identity from scratch.
• The "Aussie" Connection: Bottas lives in Adelaide with partner Tiffany Cromwell and has embraced the local culture, jokingly referring to Piastri as his compatriot.
• Piastri's 2025: The McLaren driver led the championship by 34 points mid-season but struggled with low-grip conditions in the second half, ultimately finishing 13 points behind teammate Lando Norris.
• Team Orders: Bottas commented on the speculation regarding McLaren favoring Norris, noting that the sport "sometimes is not fair" and that only those inside the team know the truth. He believes Piastri learned valuable lessons from the experience.

Looking Ahead:

With the new cars set to be shorter, lighter, and featuring active aero, the 2026 grid is a level playing field. Bottas believes Piastri has a "great future ahead" and expects him to bounce back stronger from his 2025 dip in form.