F1 driver confirms FBI investigation after rental car and paddock pass stolen during Miami GP weekend

Valtteri Bottas has revealed that an FBI investigation was launched after his rental car, which also contained his Formula 1 paddock pass, was stolen during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, creating a chaotic start to sprint race day for the Cadillac driver. The incident unfolded while Bottas was staying at an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale during the Miami race weekend earlier this month. What initially looked like a normal race morning quickly turned into a major security issue involving local police, Formula One Management’s internal paddock security systems and confusion over whether federal agencies had officially become involved. The Finnish driver explained the situation in detail on the ‘What’s Next?’ podcast he hosts alongside photographer Paul Ripke, describing how the theft happened overnight despite the car being locked and the keys remaining inside the property. Formula 1’s newest and 11th team, Cadillac, had arrived in Miami carrying a significant upgrade package following the sport’s extended five-week break. There had been encouraging signs on track too, with Sergio Perez narrowly missing out on escaping Q1 during sprint qualifying and both Cadillac cars showing improved pace against Aston Martin drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll during the Grand Prix itself. But while the team focused on progress on the circuit, Bottas was suddenly dealing with a very different problem away from it. “Got back Friday as normal, drove our car to the driveaway, had a quick shower, early to bed,” Bottas explained. “Car keys are inside the house. The car is locked. “I wake up Saturday morning. I was in the shower about 15 minutes before leaving for the track. “And then Paul Harris [his personal assistant], who also stayed in the Airbnb, is calling me. “I'm like, ‘Hello? Why are you calling me? I'm like next door.’ “He was like, ‘Oh, I was asking where did you go?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, the car is gone.’” Bottas said he initially struggled to believe what he was hearing. “I couldn't believe it. I went outside, opened the door. The Escalade has vanished. Keys are still inside on the table. So our car got stolen from the driveway of our Airbnb.” The situation immediately created logistical problems on race morning because Bottas suddenly had no transport to the circuit and, more importantly, no FIA paddock pass. The paddock credential is essential at every Formula 1 weekend because it grants access to restricted areas around the garages, team facilities and operational zones inside the paddock. “Obviously, I was going to be late to the track because we had to find another way of transport,” Bottas explained. “Luckily they sent another Escalade, it took us to the track. “And then I was like, ‘Oh, my paddock pass was in the car’. I didn't have a paddock pass. So anyway, I found a solution for that. FBI got involved. Full investigation.” Bottas later joked about the thief unknowingly gaining access to premium Formula 1 parking and paddock credentials. “He had all the opportunities for that day!” Bottas joked. “Get the VIP parking, walk to the paddock, sign in, go to the team. “They had my pass, but they obviously weren't interested about the F1 race.” According to a later report by The Athletic, Formula One Management’s internal security network was immediately activated once Bottas reported the missing pass. F1 operates a centralised credential system at every race weekend that tracks access across the paddock and restricted operational areas. Each pass is connected to personal information and photographic identification, allowing security teams to monitor exactly who is attempting to enter different sections of the venue. The system is also tied into sporting regulations surrounding restricted working periods for team staff, helping enforce rules designed to reduce fatigue during the demanding Formula 1 calendar. Had anyone attempted to use Bottas’ stolen pass at the Miami paddock, the system would have automatically flagged and blocked access, requiring security personnel stationed at the turnstiles to intervene immediately. A Formula One Management official told The Athletic: “F1 security was informed as soon as the theft was discovered, and the pass was immediately deactivated. “Local and sometimes national agencies are routinely deployed at F1 events in the United States based on the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) ratings and strategic importance of grands prix. “In Miami, F1 Security collaborate continuously with all law enforcement agencies supporting the event. “Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation we won’t be commenting further.” While Bottas initially stated on his podcast that “the FBI got involved,” the Fort Lauderdale Police Department later disputed that claim in a statement provided to The Athletic. According to the department, the investigation remains an ongoing auto theft case being handled by local authorities and not the FBI. The statement said: “This is an ongoing auto theft investigation being conducted by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the FBI is not involved.” Police also clarified that General Motors had officially been listed as the victim because the stolen Escalade had been loaned to Bottas through Cadillac’s parent company. Cadillac declined to comment when contacted. Bottas later revealed that the Escalade was eventually recovered after being abandoned, and he speculated that it may have been used during another crime before being dumped. “Apparently, they probably just did a crime with the car and dumped it,” Bottas explained. “So, in my mind, it must have been like a getaway car or something. “It’s sad that we lost the car, but it’s pretty cool. It’s never happened to me in my life.” The Finn also revealed that he and members of his support team later gave gifts to nearby residents in the area to apologise for the disruption caused by the theft investigation and police activity around the Airbnb property. Amid all the off-track chaos, Bottas still completed the Miami Grand Prix weekend, finishing 18th and last of the classified finishers as Cadillac continued working through its early developmental phase in Formula 1.