Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has made certain its drivers are beneath no illusions over how arduous the most recent Components 1 workforce’s early years within the sport might be.
Cadillac will be a part of the grid in 2026 and this week confirmed Bottas and Sergio Perez will type its first driver line-up, choosing an skilled pairing to assist with the workforce’s improvement. Bottas is presently reserve driver at Mercedes and has 10 wins to his title, however says the totally different problem of serving to such an enormous workforce begin from scratch was attractive sufficient to abdomen doubtlessly being in the back of the grid initially.
“For me, it’s kind of like after I joined from Mercedes to Alfa – I type of needed to reset the objectives,” Bottas mentioned. “I’ve type of finished that course of already in my head and for this one, as we have been talking for a very long time with Graeme [Lowdon, team principal], he is at all times made certain that it is not going to be a straightforward street, for the primary 12 months, it is going to be troublesome.
“I’ve signed up for this – I do know what to anticipate. All the time mentally, when you put together for the worst, it is higher, as a result of then no matter you obtain, that is going to be actually constructive and rewarding. So for me simply being concerned, getting my arms soiled with the workforce, as soon as that progress and success will come, that is the set off for me. That is going to do the factor for me and provides me that reward.
“It is all about simply managing the expectations and dealing arduous, and the rewards will come. That is what I am excited for and that is why I am right here.
“And for me and Checo, it is a actually distinctive alternative. Not many individuals have finished this within the historical past of F1, to be a part of a brand new workforce with this construction and this backing. It is thrilling.”
Bottas additionally says he has been in discussions over becoming a member of Cadillac for plenty of years and believes he and Perez might be racing in aggressive equipment quickly sufficient, regardless of each turning 36 earlier than the beginning of subsequent season.
“Really, the primary talks we had with Graeme about this chance was about two years in the past now, and he is at all times saved me in contact on how issues are going and progressing,” Bottas mentioned. “After which, early on this 12 months, it was clear for me that that is what I would like. I wish to be a part of this nice model, this, as an example, start-up Components 1 workforce, however with nice construction and massive objectives. And I am right here to offer every little thing I’ve to the workforce.
“With Checo, we will positively information to the proper path. In fact, we’re lifelike. It’ll be a mountain of labor to do, and it is going to most likely be a troublesome begin, as a result of it’s Components 1. However we’re not there to remain on the again. We do not wish to end final.
“I imagine with this construction, with this group, these folks, there is no purpose why we should not be capable of get comparatively rapidly as much as the tempo and that manner take pleasure in some success. And we nonetheless have fairly a number of years left within the tank with Checo, I feel, so the purpose is to benefit from the success collectively ultimately once we get there.”
