Valtteri Bottas handed boost over Cadillac F1 seat: 'Shitloads of money'

Valtteri Bottas has been told Cadillac have “shitloads” of money to sign two veteran drivers to aid its first seasons in F1.

Cadillac will join the field as an 11th squad next year as the grid expands to 22 cars for the first time since 2016.

Bottas is a leading contender for one of the vacancies at Cadillac and had fun with the speculation earlier this week with a post on social media.

Speaking on the Red Flag podcast, Bottas confirmed he is in talks with the American squad.

“The honest answer is I don't know [if I'll drive for Cadillac],” Bottas said. “Of course, we’re speaking. I think they're speaking to many drivers.

“For me, it would be very interesting, so time will tell.”

Former Force India and Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is also being linked with a drive at Cadillac, but both Perez and Bottas are likely to demand high salaries compared to a younger competitor.

However, former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, who appeared on the podcast alongside Bottas, does not see money as a problem for Cadillac.

“The suggestion who I would take is Checo and you [Bottas],” Steiner said.

“But then I always have to say I could never afford Checo and you, because you guys were always too expensive for me.

“But Cadillac has shitloads of money, so for sure they can afford you!”

Bottas then acknowledged: “In theory, they should have the money. So we’ll see.”