Valtteri Bottas has reached an agreement with Cadillac to join the team in 2026, according to reports. The news has yet to be confirmed by any of the parties involved, but it’s no secret that Bottas has been on the team’s shortlist for some time. Bottas has been on the sidelines this season after failing to retain his seat at Sauber. He is currently a Mercedes reserve driver. Recent reports suggest an announcement of Bottas’ deal could come as soon as the Dutch Grand Prix next week. Although it’s unknown who would race alongside Bottas, many sources are linking Sergio Perez to the seat. This would give Cadillac a hugely experienced driver lineup, useful for developing a new car.
Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello secured the NASCAR Brasil Series championship title in his debut season. The 52-year-old finished the season with 155 points, beating his closest rival Thiago Camilo by four points. The stock car series raced at various Brazilian circuits, including Interlagos, where Barrichello secured victories in the Saturday and Sunday races. But he certainly has the racing experience, earning 11 wins over his 19-year Formula One career. When his F1 career ended in 2011, he made a brief attempt at IndyCar before turning to the Stock Car Pro Series. There, he has won 20 races and secured two championship titles.
Ferrari has recruited two new young talents to the Ferrari Driver Academy, signing Alba Hurup Larsen and Niccolo Maccagnani. Larsen showed promising performance in her karting career, becoming the final winner of the FIA Girls on Track Racing Stars programme in 2023. She made her single-seater debut in Indian Formula 4, jumping to British Formula 4 earlier this year. She also began competing in the F1 Academy this season, where she currently sits in P6 in the championship after a consistent performance. Maccagnani has also shown great potential in last year’s ACI Sport Supercorso, where he was noted for showing the most dedication and potential for growth. He has also impressed Ferrari in various private Ferrari tests, most recently a Formula 4 test at Vallelunga with 36 other drivers. Both drivers will become part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2026 onward.
Malaysia’s sports minister has stated the country has no plans to return to the F1 calendar, citing high costs. This comes after an executive of the Sepang International Circuit criticized the decision to drop off the calendar. Although there’s shared interest in returning to Formula One, Liberty Media’s annual hosting fee of $70m is too big a hurdle for the event to cover, especially considering the long-term commitment required in the sport’s more recent race contracts. Additionally, the government fears there would be increased competition in the region, with other venues looking to get on the F1 calendar. The Malaysian Grand Prix debuted at Sepang in 1999 and remained on the calendar until it was removed after 2017 due to high operating costs and declining attendance.
Formula One action resumes next weekend at the Circuit Zandvoort for the penultimate Dutch Grand Prix. The fully refreshed drivers will take their spots on the starting grid for the 15th round of the season on August 31.
It can be challenging for even the most avid fans to keep up with the fast-paced world of Formula One. The Weekly F1 Recap is a series published each Monday that breaks down the action, both on and off the circuit, into bit-sized pieces. It's perfect for casual and experienced fans alike.
