Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has made positive its drivers are below no illusions over how laborious the most recent Method 1 workforce’s early years within the sport will likely be.
Cadillac will be part of the grid in 2026 and this week confirmed Bottas and Sergio Perez will kind its first driver line-up, choosing an skilled pairing to assist with the workforce’s improvement. Bottas is at the moment reserve driver at Mercedes and has 10 wins to his identify, however says the completely different problem of serving to such an enormous workforce begin from scratch was engaging sufficient to abdomen probably being in the back of the grid initially.
“For me, it’s kind of like once I joined from Mercedes to Alfa – I form of needed to reset the objectives,” Bottas stated. “I’ve form of accomplished 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 all the time made positive that it is not going to be a simple 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, for those who 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 palms 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 laborious, 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 accomplished 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 a variety of years and believes he and Perez will 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 all the time saved me in contact on how issues are going and progressing,” Bottas stated. “After which, early on this 12 months, it was clear for me that that is what I need. I need to be a part of this nice model, this, for example, start-up Method 1 workforce, however with nice construction and massive objectives. And I am right here to present the whole lot I’ve to the workforce.
“With Checo, we will undoubtedly information to the precise route. After all, we’re life like. It should be a mountain of labor to do, and it is going to most likely be a troublesome begin, as a result of it’s Method 1. However we’re not there to remain on the again. We do not need to end final.
“I consider with this construction, with this group, these individuals, there is not any motive why we should not be capable to get comparatively shortly as much as the tempo and that method get pleasure from some success. And we nonetheless have fairly just a few years left within the tank with Checo, I believe, so the objective is to benefit from the success collectively ultimately after we get there.”
