The Cadillac F1 team’s driver lineup saga is over after months of speculation. From rumors about the management’s preference for one American and one non-American driver to one experienced and one young driver, all have bitten the dust. It all happened with the announcement of the return of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to the F1 grid through the all-American racing team.
Both drivers have been missing the action since the start of the 2025 season. Sauber picked a fresh lineup of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the start of the season. Meanwhile, Red Bull decided to replace an underperforming, under-pressure Perez with Liam Lawson. The Kiwi later lost his seat to Yuki Tsunoda.
Bottas and Perez, both known for their grand prix-winning pedigree, carry years of experience. That is exactly what a team like Cadillac needs in the nascent stages of its incorporation.
Bottas preparing for the ‘worst’ at Cadillac
Bottas and Perez will be 36 years of age when Cadillac races its first in 2026. One could argue that the duo deserved to be in teams capable of finishing towards the front of the grid more often than not at this stage of their careers. That, realistically speaking, wouldn’t be possible, at least in the first few years of Cadillac competing.
Bottas himself is well aware of the reality and has made peace with it. A return to the grid among regular drivers was clearly the focus over waiting for a bigger team to come calling. The positive for the Finn is that the situation is not alien to him.
“For me, it’s a bit like when I joined from Mercedes to Alfa [Romeo, now Sauber] – I kind of had to reset the goals,” Bottas said. “I’ve kind of done that process already in my head and for this one, as we’ve been speaking for a long time with Graeme [Lowdon, team principal], he’s always made sure that it’s not going to be an easy road, for the first year, it’s going to be difficult.
“I’ve signed up for this – I know what to expect. Always mentally, if you prepare for the worst, it’s better, because then whatever you achieve, that’s going to be really positive and rewarding. So for me just being involved, getting my hands dirty with the team, once that progress and success will come, that’s the trigger for me. That’s going to do the thing for me and give me that reward.”
Modest goals
Bottas admits that he will have to keep his expectations in check while continuing to work hard. That, however, is also what excites him. The Finn believes the opportunity of taking a new team higher up comes rarely. He is ready to take on the task and finds Perez to be too.
“It’s all about just managing the expectations and working hard, and the rewards will come. That’s what I’m excited for and that’s why I’m here,” he added. “And for me and Checo, it’s 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 backing. It’s exciting.”
Bottas expects Cadillac to fight for the top spot earlier than anticipated
Cadillac’s arrival will take the constructors’ count to 11 in Formula 1. The team will compete with those who have tasted success at the very top and also those who have spent years, if not decades, to get there. The Indiana, Michigan, and Silvertone-based team will hope to find its feet earlier than expected, though.
Bottas, who has been in touch with them for two years now, is well aware of where they are in that pursuit. He also knows the scale of their operation and how that matches the team’s ambitions. Ultimately, the incumbent Mercedes reserve driver expects the team to get there while he is still at the helm.
“Actually, the first talks we had with Graeme about this opportunity was about two years ago now, and he’s always kept me in touch on how things are going and progressing,” Bottas revealed. “And then, early on this year, it was clear for me that this is what I want. I want to be part of this great brand, this, let’s say, start-up Formula 1 team, but with great structure and big goals. And I’m here to give everything I have to the team.”
“With Checo, we can definitely guide to the right direction. Of course, we’re realistic. It’s going to be a mountain of work to do, and it’s going to probably be a difficult start, because it is Formula 1. But we’re not there to stay at the back. We don’t want to finish last.
“I believe with this structure, with this group, these people, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to get relatively quickly up to the pace and that way enjoy some success. And we still have quite a few years left in the tank with Checo, I think, so the goal is to enjoy the success together eventually when we get there.”
Toto Wolff hails Bottas’ return to the F1 grid
Bottas proved to be a loyal servant to the Silver Arrows in his five-year stint as their regular driver. In that tenure between 2017 and 2021, Mercedes won five constructors’ titles. Bottas, meanwhile, picked up 10 grand prix wins for himself and the team.
Despite playing the ultimate sidekick to Lewis Hamilton, team principal Toto Wolff replaced him with George Russell in 2022. Bottas returned to the Brackley-based outfit in 2025 in the capacity of a reserve driver. However, he is hailed more for the mentorship role he has taken up for rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Wolff is evidently delighted with Bottas’ contribution to the team and would hate to part ways. At the same time, he cannot wait to see him back on the grid as a regular driver.
“It is great to see Valtteri regain his place on the F1 grid for next year,” Wolff said. “He still has so much to offer as a racing driver and deserves to be lining up in Melbourne for the 2026 season. We will of course be sad to see him go. He has played an important role in our team and his contribution as our Third Driver this year has been exemplary.
“For now, we will continue that work until the end of the year before wishing him well for next year and beyond.”
