The Finn returned to the grid in 2026 with Cadillac after spending last season as a reserve driver at Mercedes, but found himself at the centre of speculation following the Canadian Grand Prix after being outpaced by team-mate Sergio Perez across the Montreal weekend.
Reports suggested Bottas’ position at the new team could already be under scrutiny, with some rumours even linking Cadillac reserve driver Colton Herta to a potential replacement role.
Speaking ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Bottas made it clear he was paying little attention to the claims.
“It’s not the first time I’ve faced those kind of rumours,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a shame that somebody just makes up complete bullshit, but that’s normal in this sport.
“I know my situation, the team knows my situation, and they support me 100%, so that’s why from my side it was okay in the end.”
When asked what he believed was driving the speculation, the 10-time Grand Prix winner offered a blunt assessment.
“Headlines. Clicks. That’s my theory,” he said.
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Bottas admitted he initially found the reports amusing when they first appeared.
“I was actually having my morning coffee, and when I saw the first rumour I kind of laughed about it.
“That’s the kind of negative side of this sport sometimes. Sometimes people just want to make rumours to write stuff and make up stuff.
“I’ve learned it’s part of it, and it doesn’t really affect me anymore.”
The rumours followed a difficult opening phase of Cadillac’s debut campaign, with Perez holding the upper hand in the intra-team battle through the first five rounds.
However, Bottas revealed the team believes it has identified factors behind the performance deficit he experienced in Canada.
“We still have later this afternoon another meeting, but I caught up with the team last week about it and we can see issues, both on the power unit side and the car build side,” he explained.
“That’s as much as I can give you, but we can see reasons, which is good to see.
“We need to keep working on the quality of how we build the car, how we fit all the parts, and so on.”
Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon also rejected the speculation, insisting there was no truth behind suggestions Bottas was under threat.
“There is no foundation of truth in any of the rumours at all,” Lowdon said.
“I can categorically say that. Just… where do I start on the rumours themselves? I’ll make it really, really clear factually, they’re completely incorrect.
“There’s no basis of truth whatsoever in any of them.”
Lowdon also pointed to suggestions that reserve driver Colton Herta could step into the seat, noting the American currently does not hold the super licence points required to race in F1.
With Cadillac still searching for its first points finish, Bottas will now turn his focus to Monaco, where he believes the unique nature of the circuit can offer opportunities for teams throughout the field.
“This weekend always is an opportunity for everyone,” he said.
“As an example, remember some years ago, Jules Bianchi got his points for Marussia here [in 2014]. Things like that can happen.
“For sure, you’ve got to try and qualify well, but then even in the race you never know what happens.
“We take it as a nice opportunity ahead.”
2026 F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Schedule, how to watch, TV times & more
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