Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has confirmed that the driving force will not be below phantasm about how troublesome it’s within the early days of the game’s newest System One workforce.
Cadillac joined the grid in 2026, with Botas and Sergio Perez forming their first driver lineup this week, selecting skilled pairings to assist develop the workforce. Bottas is presently a Mercedes backup driver and has 10 wins for his title, however he says the varied challenges of serving to such an enormous workforce begin from scratch have been interesting sufficient to be doubtlessly latent behind the grid at first.
“For me, it is like after I joined the Alpha from Mercedes. I needed to reset my targets,” Bottas stated. “I’ve already performed that course of in my head, however we have been speaking to Graeme (Lowdon, the principal of the workforce) for a very long time, so he is at all times made positive it will not be a straightforward path. The primary yr will likely be troublesome.
“I signed up for this – I do know what to anticipate. At all times mentally, should you’re ready for the worst, it is actually constructive and rewarding, no matter you obtain. So for me, it is only a soiled hand with the workforce and that progress and success would be the set off for me.
“It is all about managing expectations, working exhausting, and the rewards are coming, and that is what I am enthusiastic about, and that is why I am right here.
“And for me and Cecko, it is a really distinctive alternative. Not many individuals have performed this in System 1 historical past due to this construction and being a part of this new workforce that has been supported. It is thrilling.”
Bottas additionally stated he has been debating about becoming a member of the Cadillac for years, and believes that he and Perez will quickly be capable to race on aggressive machines, regardless of turning 36 earlier than the beginning of the following season.
“Actually, the primary story I had with Graeme about this chance was about two years in the past and he is at all times been in contact with me about how issues are going,” Bottas stated. “And it was clear earlier this yr that this was what I needed, and I need to be a part of this unbelievable model.
“With Checo you may undoubtedly lead you in the correct route. In fact, we’re life like. Will probably be a mountain of issues to do. And since it’s System 1, it can most likely be a troublesome begin. However we will not keep behind.
“On this construction, we, together with this group, these individuals, we do not get to tempo comparatively rapidly and there isn’t any motive to get pleasure from such success.
