Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has confirmed that the driver is not under illusion about how difficult it is in the early days of the sport’s latest Formula One team.
Cadillac joined the grid in 2026, with Botas and Sergio Perez forming their first driver lineup this week, choosing experienced pairings to help develop the team. Bottas is currently a Mercedes backup driver and has 10 wins for his name, but he says the various challenges of helping such a big team start from scratch were appealing enough to be potentially latent behind the grid at first.
“For me, it’s like when I joined the Alpha from Mercedes. I had to reset my goals,” Bottas said. “I’ve already done that process in my head, but we’ve been talking to Graeme (Lowdon, the principal of the team) for a long time, so he’s always made sure it won’t be an easy path. The first year will be difficult.
“I signed up for this – I know what to expect. Always mentally, if you’re prepared for the worst, it’s really positive and rewarding, whatever you achieve. So for me, it’s just a dirty hand with the team and that progress and success will be the trigger for me.
“It’s all about managing expectations, working hard, and the rewards are coming, and that’s what I’m excited about, and that’s why I’m here.
“And for me and Cecko, it’s a truly unique opportunity. Not many people have done this in Formula 1 history because of this structure and being part of this new team that has been supported. It’s exciting.”
Bottas also said he has been debating about joining the Cadillac for years, and believes that he and Perez will soon be able to race on competitive machines, despite turning 36 before the start of the next season.
“In fact, the first story I had with Graeme about this opportunity was about two years ago and he’s always been in touch with me about how things are going,” Bottas said. “And it was clear earlier this year that this was what I wanted, and I want to be part of this incredible brand.
“With Checo you can definitely lead you in the right direction. Of course, we are realistic. It will be a mountain of things to do. And since it is Formula 1, it will probably be a difficult start. But we can’t stay behind.
“In this structure, we, along with this group, these people, we don’t get to pace relatively quickly and there’s no reason to enjoy such success.
