Bottas<\/a> had been linked with Cadillac<\/a> for some time, with Toto Wolff<\/a> actively pushing to get him back onto the grid. Sure enough, he will make his return in 2026 as he joins Perez<\/a> at the American outfit on a deal until at least 2027.<\/p>\n Cadillac staff applauded the signings of Bottas and Perez<\/a> at the Silverstone factory. The team had assessed numerous candidates for a potential seat, but ended up going for experienced heads instead of younger talent.<\/p>\n General Motors<\/a> have put in heavy investment behind the scenes to get the team ready for their F1 debut. Cadillac have been \u2018paying a premium\u2019 to attract staff<\/a> from rival teams \u2013 the drivers will certainly be on a decent salary as well.<\/p>\n According to F1 photographer Kym Illman, the Mercedes<\/a> reserve driver will be on a similar wage to what he had at the Silver Arrows. \u2018F1 people\u2019 believe that he could earn between $8m (roughly \u00a36m) and $10m (\u00a37.4m) at Cadillac.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a start, only Valtteri\u2019s team and Cadillac will know exactly what he\u2019s getting paid. But when he was at Mercedes, he was believed to be on about $10 million a year\u201d said Illman via his YouTube channel.<\/p>\n \u201cThe consensus amongst a number of F1 people that I spoke to suggests he\u2019s probably [on] the same sort of range [at Cadillac], $8-10 million, plus bonuses for points and podiums.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would put him in the midfield when it comes to driver salaries.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas\u2019 life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin<\/a><\/p>\n Mercedes need to finalise Bottas\u2019 release<\/a> so that he can begin working at Cadillac. The Finn is set to run in TPC tests in Ferrari<\/a> machinery, who will supply F1\u2019s 11th team with engines in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n He will be keen to return to form after a difficult spell at Sauber. Bottas failed to score points in 2024, while teammate Zhou Guanyu, who missed out on a Cadillac seat, grabbed four points in Qatar.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-84656538-1024x733.jpg\")
Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER\/AFP via Getty ImagesValtteri Bottas will earn roughly up to \u00a37.4 million per season at Cadillac<\/p>\n![\"Valtteri](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2227169645-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Andrea Diodato\/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSome F1 key figures have doubts about Cadillac signing Valtteri Bottas<\/p>\n