Valtteri Bottas says that Cadillac has ensured that his drivers have no illusions about how hard the early years of the newest Formula 1 team will be in sport.
Cadillac will join the grid in 2026 and this week that Bottas and Sergio Perez will form his first driver line-up and opt for an experienced combination to help with the team development. Bottas is currently reserve administrator at Mercedes and has 10 victories to his name, but says that the different challenge to start such a large team was enough tempting to be at the back of the schedule in the first instance.
“For me it is a bit like when I came from Mercedes to Alfa – I had to reset the goals,” said Bottas. “I have already done that process in my head and for this, because we have spoken with Graeme for a long time [Lowdon, team principal]He has always ensured that it will not be an easy way, it will be difficult for the first year.
“I signed up for this – I know what to expect. Always mentally, when you prepare for the worst, it is better, because whatever you achieve, that will be really positive and rewarding. So for me it is just involved, my hands get dirty with the team, once that progress and success will come, that is the trigger for me. That will do things for me.
“It’s about only managing expectations and hard work, and the rewards will come. That is what I am enthusiastic about and that is why I am here.
“And for me and Checo it is a really unique opportunity. Not many people have done this in the history of F1, to be part of a new team with this structure and this support. It is exciting.”
Bottas also says that he has been discussions about Cadillac for a number of years and believes that he and Perez can race quickly enough in competitive machines, despite both 36 before the start of the following season.
“Actually, the first conversations we had with Graeme about this opportunity were about two years ago, and he always kept me in contact about how things are going and is progressing,” said Bottas. “And then, early this year, it was clear to me that this is what I want. I want to be part of this great brand, this, say, start-up Formula 1 team, but with great structure and big goals. And I am here to give everything I have to the team.
“With Checo we can certainly lead to the right direction. Of course we are realistic. It will be a mountain of work to do, and it will probably be a difficult start, because it is Formula 1. But we are not there to stay in the back. We don’t want to finally end up.
“I believe that with this structure, with this group, these people, there is no reason why we should not be able to get to the pace relatively quickly and that we can enjoy some success in this way. And we have left in the tank with Checo for a few years, I think, so the goal is to eventually enjoy the success when we get there.”
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