One of many largest subjects from the moist Zandvault Paddock on Thursday’s Media Day was the return of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in F1 2026.
Forward of the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend, Cadillac confirmed the double signatures of Botta and Perez to kind a extremely skilled driver lineup for subsequent 12 months’s debut F1 marketing campaign.
The System 1 driver advised media together with Crash.Internet concerning the return of two rivals who spent 2025 on the sidelines after dropping their seats on the finish of final season…
Max Verstappen
“Once I noticed the information got here out, I messaged him (Perez). I am so completely satisfied for him that he has a seat. He is an incredible man and we’re all the time on good phrases, so I am completely satisfied he is again on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton
“I am actually proud of Valtteri. He is a superb pal and he actually deserves to be again. I do know he has loads of expertise that he can convey to any workforce.”
George Russell
“I am very proud of Valteri. He positively deserves to be again on the grid. I stated congratulations as I flew right here this morning with him. Then the birthday cake arrived. I did not even discover his birthday both!
Bottas celebrated his thirty sixth birthday on Thursday
Fernando Alonso
“We’re all associates and we all know one another. All of them deserve a System 1 seat. They show that and have expertise. Sadly, there are solely 22 seats in System 1.
“Having Checo and Valtteri is sweet information for sports activities. It is excellent news for them. I am completely satisfied for them too. Comfortable birthday to Valtteri as effectively. It was a superb week for him. I am completely satisfied for them, however I feel the check drivers do not get an opportunity.
Some Antonelli
“I am actually completely satisfied he is capable of finding a seat for subsequent 12 months, so he’ll be again on the grid. Actually, he is very supportive and he is on the workforce till the tip of the season, so it’s kind of unhappy.
Alex Albon
“I feel one of many benefits of my 12 months (bystander) is that of Checo and Valtteri too – a regulatory reset. No driver will carry all of the expertise of automotive regulation over the previous few years, so when you get again, it is just a little extra equal enviornment.
“I do not know the way concerned they had been by way of coaching, driving, and many others., in sustaining sharply. I keep in mind working with Pirelli and dealing on loads of simulators annually.
“My 12 months was just a bit extra about studying and making certain that I used to be as ready as attainable for Williams’ seating, and I do not suppose their expertise was an excessive amount of.
Perez goals to place his troubled Pink Bull stint behind him
Pierre Guthry
“I feel it is superb for sports activities. They’re nice characters in our sport over the previous decade or so. They’re combating in entrance of the grid. They’re working with the highest workforce and so they gained. It was unhappy to see them depart. For them.”
Esteban Ocon
“The acquainted face, the drivers I’ve raced all through my total profession, most of them. It is nice to see the checkback. I’ve teamed up with him for 2 years so it is nice to see him again on the grid and Valteri.
“I am unsure (comeback), however with expertise like this degree of expertise, I do not suppose it ought to take that lengthy to get again to hurry, the place I’ve performed a whole bunch of races.
“They know the way the workforce works. They know the way System One works. And there are way more checks earlier than they return to racing together with the brand new period of vehicles. Everybody will be taught.
Franco Frankundoto
“I like Cecco and he was the motive force I cheered on once I was very younger. On the finish of the day he was the closest particular person to Argentina. Mexico and Argentina are closest to one another. He was the particular person I used to be cheering on.
Nico Halkenberg
“I clearly spent various time, not simply three years, and I feel it relies on how aggressive the package deal is, however I feel all of it hyperlinks to it. Nevertheless it’s most likely constructive and refreshing to see all of it at dwelling when he (Perez) cuts off and sees all of it at far from the consolation of your sofa.
Oliver Bearman
“It is sensible to go along with two guys recognized inside the sport. Taking a newcomer is a larger danger than taking two guys with loads of expertise. However I feel there are lots of people on this grid that ought to have an enormous quantity of expertise and never present the chance to indicate what they will do.
“Felipe (Dragvich) is considered one of them. On the prime of each class, there are loads of nice IndyCar drivers who do a superb job right here, however that call is sensible.
