Fred Vesti Sets His Sights on Cadillac's Open F1 Seat for 2027

Frederik Vesti has admitted his "eyes are set" on a Formula 1 race seat with Cadillac in 2027, as speculation continues to build over whether Valtteri Bottas will see out his contract alongside Sergio Perez.

Cadillac confirmed earlier this week that Perez is locked in through 2029, but the team has so far stayed silent on who will occupy the other car next season.

Why it matters:

An open seat at a well-funded newcomer with a works manufacturer behind it is a rare commodity, and Cadillac's decision will signal whether the team leans on experience or bets on youth for its second campaign. Vesti, a Mercedes reserve with a parallel Cadillac sports car programme, sits squarely in that conversation.

The details:

• Bottas has endured a difficult return to F1, struggling for race pace relative to Perez, and reports suggest both incumbent drivers originally signed multi-year deals.
• The Finn dismissed the growing noise in Austin but conceded there are "no guarantees" in the sport.
• Colton Herta, with five Cadillac FP1 appearances to his name, has been widely linked as the most likely replacement.
• Vesti's case rests on results elsewhere: Drivers', Teams' and Manufacturers' titles in IMSA with Cadillac this year, plus a starring role in Mercedes' simulator programme on the class-leading W17.
• He underlined his credentials in Mexico, finishing third in FP1, less than a tenth behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

"I have all my eyes on that seat, and it would be such a privilege to step into that," Vesti said, pointing to Antonelli's title charge at 20 years old as proof that team principals should trust rookies more readily.

What's next:

Cadillac is expected to settle its line-up before the end of the year, with the remaining rounds offering limited opportunities for candidates to stake a claim. Whether the team prioritises Herta's American profile or Vesti's European pedigree, the call will shape how the newest squad builds around Perez.