The FBI opened an investigation after a team-issued Cadillac Escalade belonging to Valtteri Bottas was stolen from the driveway of an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. The SUV contained Bottas’ Formula 1 paddock pass and a VIP parking pass, and local police asked federal authorities to get involved because the credentials could have allowed unauthorized access to restricted areas at Hard Rock Stadium. Agents investigated the potential security risk and access control vulnerabilities at the event.

Bottas told listeners on his What’s Next podcast that he had left the keys inside the house and discovered the Escalade missing on Saturday morning as he prepared to leave for the track. Cadillac supplied a replacement Escalade so he could get to the race. The original vehicle was later recovered damaged and dumped in a nearby high-crime area after its tracking system appeared to have been disabled, and extra security measures were posted at the property. Bottas said the thieves likely used the Escalade as a getaway car rather than targeting him specifically.

The incident created immediate logistical problems for Bottas and raised questions about credential security for drivers and teams during busy Grand Prix weekends. Bottas recounted the episode publicly on his podcast, authorities resolved the missing credentials, and the matter did not prevent him from continuing the race weekend; he finished the Miami Grand Prix in 18th place.