F1 star could be sacked after Monaco GP with replacement already lined up | F1 | Sport

Valtteri Bottas is at risk of being sacked by Cadillac after just five rounds of the new season, according to reports. The former Mercedes driver was snapped up by the American team for their inaugural campaign, with Sergio Perez on the other side of the garage. However, things haven’t exactly gone to plan for either driver or the team.

Cadillac have failed to score a single point since entering F1 and are among the slowest teams on the grid. Bottas has also struggled on an individual level, with his best result coming in China where he secured a 13th-placed finish. In qualifying, he has only beaten Perez on two out of five occasions and it seems Cadillac are starting to lose patience with him.

He could be sacked depending on his performance at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, with American driver Colton Herta supposedly waiting in the wings to replace him.

That’s according to Sky Sport Italy, who say Bottas’ position is under serious threat. Herta, who is currently Cadillac’s test driver while also competing in F2, is said to be the favourite to replace the Finn if he is relieved of his duties.

However, it’s worth noting that Herta doesn’t have a Super Licence and his results in F2 haven’t exactly been stellar. He has finished no higher than seventh in the feeder series, while his qualifying performances have been forgettable to say the least.

Bottas, meanwhile, hasn’t been left surprised by Cadillac’s poor start given their lack of experience in the cut-throat environment of F1.

“There is no frustration, this is what I signed up for,” said the 36-year-old when asked if he was frustrated with the start of the season before the Canadian Grand Prix.

“I knew there were going to be difficult times, but there are many hidden areas where we are improving the pace. The upgrades [in Miami] worked, but not every part is the same as what we put on the car.

“There is still a bit of inconsistency there, but it is getting better. Our weakness is high-to-medium speed corners, and Montreal is only low-to-medium speed, so hopefully, we will be closer there.”

Bottas ultimately ended up four laps down in Canada as he stumbled to a 16th-placed finish. With six drivers retiring from the race, including Perez, it meant the Finn was the last driver to cross the line.

Only time will tell if he manages to improve in Monaco next weekend but the way things are going, it doesn’t look particularly likely.

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