Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Friday, May 15, 2026, 11:53 / Updated Friday, May 15, 2026 11:53
Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas (36), from Cadillac, has revealed that the car he was driving during the days of the Miami Grand Prix was stolen and then recovered following an FBI investigation.
The Finn recounted the incident on the 'What's Next' podcast, confirming that the luxury €150,000-plus Cadillac Escalade contained his personal circuit access pass, as well as a VIP pass for trackside parking.
Bottas and his girlfriend had rented a house in Fort Lauderdale, and a friend lived next door, who called him on Saturday morning to say that the car parked in front of the house had been stolen.
The FBI has recovered Valtteri Bottas' stolen car
“On Friday I parked the car in front of the house, locked it, left the keys on the table. On Saturday morning I was in the shower, just before I left for the circuit, when Paul Harris called me.
I say: “Why are you calling me from the house next door?” And he: “May I ask you where you went?”. Me: “What do you mean?” He: “Your car is gone”. I couldn't believe it, I go outside, the car is gone, and the keys are on the table. They stole our car that was in front of the house.
Valtteri Bottas, dialogue with GSP before the Hungarian Grand Prix // PHOTO: mercedesamgf1.com
Fortunately, the team sent me another Escalade, and when I got to the track, I remembered that my license had been left in the stolen car. The FBI took over the case, a full investigation.
The next day they found her, abandoned in a high crime area. With those permits they could have entered the circuit, but apparently they were not interested in Formula 1. They probably used the car for a crime and then abandoned it. A great story,” said Valtteri Bottas.
