P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas will leave Mercedes again at the end of the campaign, this time on his terms, to join Cadillac for the 2026 F1 season.
Toto Wolff has responded to Valtteri Bottas signing with Cadillac for the 2026 F1 season to return to a full-time race seat after a year on the sidelines. The 10-time grand prix winner rejoined Mercedes as the team’s third driver, supporting George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Wolff expressed pride in Bottas returning to the grid alongside Sergio Perez at the American team. While acknowledging Bottas’s deserved return to racing, Wolff also admitted sadness at losing him, recognizing his significant role at Mercedes this season, including mentoring Antonelli. Bottas will continue his current duties until the end of the season before transitioning fully to his race seat with Cadillac, with Wolff wishing him success for the future.
