Valtteri Bottas has began working with Cadillac in preparation for his return to F1 in 2026, and wasted no time in collaborating in a seat becoming on the workforce’s manufacturing unit the day after the 2025 season ended.
Cadillac introduced earlier this yr that it might rent Bottas alongside Sergio Perez, however Bottas was nonetheless employed as Mercedes’ reserve driver for 2025, so he initially didn’t have the identical freedom to work with Bottas. Bottas, who had simply returned from Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, flew to England to go to Cadillac on Monday and took the primary alternative to do seat fittings and different preparatory work.
“I am excited to lastly begin as a driver for the Cadillac F1 Workforce,” stated Bottas. “This can be a proud second in my profession and the beginning of a brand new chapter again on the grid for a workforce that’s beginning a brand new journey on this sport. There may be a variety of exhausting work forward and I’m wanting ahead to utilizing my expertise to assist the workforce now that I’ve joined them completely.”
“Seeing all the things come collectively for the primary time as a model new workforce is particular and makes you understand the momentum of the venture. These moments are actually step one in making ready for the primary take a look at, so it is necessary to arrange correctly. I can not watch for the season to start out and to go racing once more.”
Perez has already been capable of work freely with Cadillac since signing, finishing a two-day take a look at of the entrance automotive (TPC) at Imola final month. Workforce principal Graham Loudon stated the addition of Bottas is one other necessary step towards Cadillac’s debut season in 2026.
“It is nice to lastly have Valtteri be a part of the workforce and combine into the workforce,” Loudon stated. “We have been planning it for fairly a while, so it is nice to see moments like this occur earlier than the primary season takes off.
“I am so happy with all of the work that everybody within the workforce is doing. F1 is the best workforce recreation on the earth and it is instances like this that present us the ability, expertise and experience we’ve got, and the way a lot expertise like Valtteri can do domestically.”
