Formula 1 star Valtteri Bottas has revealed that the FBI became involved in an investigation after his Cadillac Escalade was stolen during the 2026 Miami Grand Prix weekend. The shocking incident occurred while the Finnish driver was staying at an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale ahead of Saturday’s sprint and qualifying sessions.
Speaking on his What’s Next YouTube channel, Bottas explained that he prefers staying in Fort Lauderdale rather than Miami because of its calmer atmosphere and lighter traffic. However, what was supposed to be a relaxed race weekend quickly turned chaotic when he discovered his vehicle had mysteriously vanished overnight.
According to Bottas, the SUV had been parked safely in the driveway on Friday evening, while the keys remained inside the house. But on Saturday morning, he was alerted by a friend staying at the Airbnb that the vehicle was gone. The Cadillac had disappeared despite the keys never leaving the property, leaving Bottas stunned by the bizarre theft.
The situation became far more serious when Bottas realized his Formula 1 paddock pass was still inside the stolen vehicle. The credential would have allowed access to restricted areas inside the Miami Grand Prix paddock, immediately triggering security concerns around the event. Bottas confirmed that both local police and the FBI became involved because of the potential risk associated with the stolen pass.
Fortunately, the thieves appeared to have no interest in Formula 1 itself. Bottas later revealed that the vehicle was eventually found abandoned in a high-crime area, leading him to believe it may have simply been used as a getaway car for another crime before being dumped. Despite the seriousness of the incident, the Cadillac driver handled the situation calmly and even joked about how surreal the experience felt.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing global attention surrounding Formula 1, particularly in the United States. With races like Miami attracting celebrities, luxury brands, and massive crowds, security around drivers and team personnel has become increasingly important. Incidents involving stolen credentials could force organizers to tighten paddock security procedures even further moving forward.
For Bottas, the bizarre Miami story adds another unforgettable chapter to his long motorsport career. As Cadillac continues building its Formula 1 project around experienced figures like the Finnish veteran, moments like these only increase the spotlight surrounding both the driver and the American manufacturer. With the Canadian Grand Prix approaching, fans will now be watching closely to see whether Bottas can turn the chaos of Miami into momentum on the track.