Frederik Vesti has confirmed he is targeting the Cadillac Formula One seat that could become available for 2027, with Valtteri Bottas's future at the team uncertain.
The Mercedes test and reserve driver said he has his eye on the drive, which would be his first full-time F1 seat. Bottas has publicly stated he is calm about his situation, but Cadillac bosses have not ruled out making a change before 2027.
Herta's superlicence setback
Cadillac are thought to be most keen on Colton Herta, who they made their test driver while supporting his switch from IndyCar to Formula 2 this year in a bid to win his FIA superlicence. However, Herta's F2 campaign has not gone as planned, and he will not score superlicence points through his finish in the drivers' standings.
Cadillac have therefore turned to free practice appearances to make up the shortfall. A driver needs to complete at least 100km to earn a superlicence point from an FP1 appearance, but technical issues limited Herta to just a few laps at Monza in September, so that appearance did not add to his points total.
Cadillac thought his FP1 appearance in Mexico City on Friday would get him over the line. However, the FIA has since confirmed that a discrepancy in how many superlicence points he scored last year from his final IndyCar season means he still needs one more point.
Vesti's case for the seat
Cadillac are likely to give Herta one more FP1 session to make up the shortfall, and his American nationality would give him a significant advantage. But Vesti is the most prominent backup option, having been on track in Mexico during FP1 where he set the third fastest time of the hour.
Vesti has waited on the sidelines since missing out on the F2 title in 2023. He has since been a test and reserve driver for Mercedes and has had several first practice drives this year. He has also raced for Cadillac in the IMSA Sportscar championship, where the Cadillac Whelen team won the title this year, with Vesti taking victory at Watkins Glen Raceway alongside Jack Aitken and Earl Bamber.
Appearing in the Sky Sports F1 commentary box during the second hour of practice on Friday, Vesti said he is "hugely privileged" to represent two factory teams as he does in Mercedes and Cadillac. Pressed on the potentially available race seat for 2027, he confirmed: "There's no doubt I've got my eyes on that seat and it would be such a privilege to step into it."
Yuki Tsunoda has also been keen on the seat, with his representatives known to have been in contact with Cadillac. Esteban Ocon is another experienced driver looking for a new home after being axed by Haas, but neither is believed to have much chance of being hired for a 2027 race seat.
