Bottas Reveals FBI Investigation After Cadillac Stolen During Miami GP Weekend

Valtteri Bottas has revealed that his Cadillac Escalade was stolen during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, prompting an FBI investigation. The Finn was staying in an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale when the vehicle vanished on Saturday morning—along with his F1 paddock pass inside.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights the unexpected security risks drivers face even in low-crime areas during race weekends. Bottas's paddock pass could have allowed the thief track access, raising concerns about credential security.

The Details:

• Bottas was showering before heading to the Sprint Race when his colleague Paul Harris called to say the car was gone.
• An identical Escalade was sent as a replacement, getting him to the track late but without his pass (later resolved).
• The stolen car was found the next day in a “high-crime area,” dumped after being used for another crime.
• FBI involvement stemmed from the paddock pass inside—the thief could have driven directly into the circuit.
• Bottas joked the thief “had all the opportunities” to impersonate him, including VIP parking and team access.
• After the theft, an armed security guard was hired to watch the replacement car overnight, alarming neighbors.

What's next:

Bottas finished P18 in Cadillac’s first home race, but the real drama happened off-track. The team will likely tighten credential policies and driver security protocols for future events, especially in unfamiliar areas. For Bottas, it's a story he'll tell for years—but one he'd rather not repeat.