Valtteri Bottas is preparing for his return to Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac team, bringing a clear message: the project must remain grounded. After a sabbatical year away from racing, the Mercedes reserve driver faces a fresh challenge by joining Cadillac, the American team set to debut as the 11th entry in the F1 World Championship – the first new team to join since 2016. Powered by a customer Ferrari engine, Cadillac will field an experienced driver lineup, pairing the Finn with Sergio Perez, who is also returning after a year out. The team will be led by former Marussia boss Graeme Lowdon as team principal, with Pat Symonds, previously at Benetton, Renault, and Williams, serving as engineering advisor.
The debut comes at a time of major regulatory changes, with 2026 introducing a revolution in both power units and chassis design.
Managing expectations
In a recent interview, Valtteri Bottas emphasized that caution will be key to tackling this challenge: “I think ‘exciting’ is the right word to describe it,” he said. “What gives me confidence is that, so far, everything seems on schedule and according to plan. There haven’t been major setbacks, but starting from scratch will be difficult.
“Expectations must be managed carefully, especially in the first season, and I would also say during the first quarter of the championship. We need to be realistic. It will take time, but I am ready for that. I can’t have overly high expectations at the start; it’s better to begin with lower goals and understand where we stand. The most important thing is where we end up and how quickly we get there.”
Balancing roles
Currently, Valtteri Bottas cannot dedicate himself fully to the Cadillac project, as he continues to serve as Mercedes’ reserve driver, a situation he describes as “unique.” “If I could, I would certainly do more with the team because there is a lot to prepare. But we’ve already had the key meetings and shared the main information,” he explained. “I can attend meetings online, and the team already has my driving data, setup preferences, and assistance levels. I have visited the Silverstone facilities, we are in contact, but I am not involved as much as Checo [Perez]; I simply can’t be.
“It’s a unique situation, but Mercedes remains the priority: they are still my employer, and I need to be ready for every race weekend. However, when I have free time, I use it wisely, working for the future.”
Team dynamics with Perez
Valtteri Bottas expressed confidence in his collaboration with Perez, his indirect rival during Mercedes’ and Red Bull’s peak years. “We spent the day of the announcement together in New York, and he seemed like an easy person to work with,” Valtteri Bottas said. “He is very calm but also enthusiastic about returning. As a pairing, I think it makes perfect sense: we can really work together for the good of the team, putting the team first above everything else.”
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