Valtteri Bottas has dismissed rumours suggesting Cadillac is already considering replacing him, insisting the speculation is nothing more than a bid for “headlines and clicks”.

The Finn arrived in Monaco under pressure after reports emerged in Montreal claiming the new American team could even consider a mid-season driver change amid Bottas’ struggles compared to teammate Sergio Perez.

Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon has already firmly denied the claims, and now Bottas has done the same. “It’s part of the sport,” said the 36-year-old.

“It’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with these kinds of rumours. It’s just a shame that someone just makes up complete nonsense, but that’s normal in this sport.”

The former Mercedes driver said he has no concerns about his position within the team. “I know my situation and the team knows it,” Bottas explained.

“They are 100 percent behind me, so that’s why I’m not too worried about it.”

Asked why such stories emerge, Bottas did not hesitate. “Headlines and clicks,” he said.

“That’s my theory.”

While Perez has generally had the clear upper hand so far in Cadillac’s debut season, Bottas insists there are technical reasons behind the performance gap.

“We have seen a problem in the power source, but also in the construction of the car,” he revealed.

“I’m confident and I think we now understand what went wrong.”

Perez, meanwhile, believes his strong form this year is proving that his difficult final months at Red Bull were not a true reflection of his abilities.

“Obviously, if you look at my last six months at Red Bull, you wouldn’t necessarily think I was one of the best drivers in the world,” the Mexican told France’s Auto Hebdo.

“But when you understand the circumstances I was in at that time, and when people who know about performance look at the level I’m demonstrating with my team, you realise that I’m one of the best.”

Perez said returning to a more competitive level has restored his confidence.

“The way I struggled during my last season at Red Bull, it really damages your confidence,” he admitted.

“When I got into the Ferrari and was up to speed after barely 10 laps, without having driven for a while, I thought: ’That’s it.’”

Cadillac F1 Team – General Motors