Jonas Leo
Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish veteran of Formula 1, has officially commenced his tenure as a driver for the newly formed Cadillac Formula 1 team, marking a significant milestone in the American marque’s ambitious entry into the pinnacle of motorsport. This foundational day, spent at the team’s burgeoning British operational base in Silverstone, heralds Bottas’s anticipated return to a full-time competitive grid position in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The initial phase of Bottas’s integration involved crucial preparatory steps, including a comprehensive seat fit within the developing Cadillac chassis. This meticulous process ensures optimal ergonomics and safety for the driver, a critical element in the design and engineering timeline of any new Formula 1 car. The session allowed engineers to tailor the cockpit to Bottas’s precise dimensions, collecting vital data for the ongoing construction and refinement of Cadillac’s maiden challenger. The team has outlined plans for the car’s official ‘fire-up’ – the first ignition of its power unit – before the end of the current year, with a scheduled shakedown test in January 2026. This precursor to the official pre-season testing, set for Barcelona from January 26-30, will provide the first real-world dynamic assessment of the new machine.
Bottas brings a wealth of experience to the nascent Cadillac project. His distinguished Formula 1 career spans 246 Grand Prix starts, a testament to his longevity and consistent presence at the sport’s highest level. Throughout his journey, which began with Williams in 2013, Bottas has accumulated an impressive 67 podium finishes and 10 Grand Prix victories, predominantly during his five-year stint with the dominant Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team from 2017 to 2021. During this period, he played a crucial role in securing five consecutive Constructors’ Championships for Mercedes. Following his tenure with the Silver Arrows, Bottas transitioned to Sauber (then competing as Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake) for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, where he often demonstrated his ability to extract strong performances from midfield machinery. In 2025, Bottas served as Mercedes’ primary reserve driver, a role that, while keeping him on the sidelines of active competition, undoubtedly provided him with continued exposure to the latest technological advancements and strategic approaches within a top-tier F1 operation. This extensive background, encompassing both championship-winning machinery and development-focused roles, positions him as an invaluable asset for Cadillac as they embark on their inaugural F1 campaign.
The Cadillac entry into Formula 1 is a story of persistent ambition. Operating under the umbrella of Andretti Global, the American motorsport giant led by Michael Andretti, the team faced considerable hurdles in gaining approval from Formula 1 Management (FOM) and existing constructors. Despite initial resistance, the FIA formally approved Andretti Cadillac as an 11th team, recognizing the strength of their technical and financial proposal, particularly the significant backing from General Motors and the iconic Cadillac brand. The 2026 season was targeted specifically due to the introduction of a sweeping new set of technical regulations. These regulations are designed to usher in a new era for Formula 1, featuring radically redesigned power units that will incorporate a 50% internal combustion engine component and a 50% electrical component, running on 100% sustainable fuels. Chassis regulations will also undergo significant changes, aiming to promote closer racing and offer a more level playing field for new entrants. Cadillac’s decision to align with these new regulations from the outset is a strategic move, allowing them to design and build their car and power unit (in partnership with an engine supplier) from a clean slate, rather than adapting to existing rules.
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Reflecting on his new chapter, Bottas expressed profound enthusiasm during his first day at the Silverstone facility. "I’m excited to be starting as a Cadillac Formula 1 Team driver – finally," Bottas stated. "This is a proud moment in my career as it marks the beginning of a new chapter back on the grid with a team that’s starting its journey in the sport. There’s a lot of hard work that lies ahead, so I’m keen to use my experience to help the team now that I’m fully on board. Seeing everything coming together for the first time as a brand-new team is special and makes you realise the momentum of the project. It’s important to get the preparation right as these moments really are the first steps to getting us ready for the first test. I can’t wait to get the season started and go racing once again." His words underscore both the personal significance of this return to a race seat and the collective effort required to establish a competitive Formula 1 team.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon echoed Bottas’s sentiments, emphasizing the culmination of extensive planning. "It’s great to finally have Valtteri onboard and integrated with the team. We’ve been planning for quite some time now, so it’s fantastic to see these moments happening ahead of our first season on track," Lowdon commented. "I’m proud of all the work everybody is doing in the team. Formula 1 is the greatest team game in the world and it’s times like this where you see the skills, talent and expertise we have, and how well such a talent like Valtteri will be at home." Lowdon’s remarks highlight the foundational work being undertaken and the strategic importance of bringing in a driver of Bottas’s calibre to guide the team’s development.
Cadillac’s preparatory efforts extend beyond driver integration and car design. Last month, the team undertook a crucial operational test at Italy’s Imola circuit, utilizing a Ferrari SF-23 car. This strategic exercise was not focused on performance metrics but rather on refining the logistical and procedural aspects of running a Formula 1 operation. The test allowed Cadillac personnel to practice pit stops, garage setup, data acquisition, and communication protocols in a realistic F1 environment. Notably, Bottas’s teammate, Sergio Perez, was behind the wheel for this test. Perez, a highly experienced driver with a career spanning over 250 Grand Prix starts, including multiple victories and podiums with various teams like Force India, Racing Point, and Red Bull Racing, brings another layer of crucial feedback and development expertise. The pairing of Bottas and Perez, both seasoned campaigners who have competed at the sharp end of the grid, offers Cadillac an exceptionally experienced driver lineup, capable of providing nuanced technical direction and accelerating the team’s learning curve.
The road ahead for Cadillac is undoubtedly challenging, but the meticulous planning and strategic recruitment, exemplified by Bottas’s arrival, indicate a serious commitment to long-term success. The 2026 season will present a formidable test for all teams adapting to the new regulations, and for a new entrant like Cadillac, the initial focus will be on reliability, consistent performance, and rapid development. With their British base firmly established in the heart of "Motorsport Valley" and a strong American brand identity, Cadillac is poised to bring a fresh dynamic to the Formula 1 grid. The countdown to their debut and Bottas’s re-entry into full-time Grand Prix racing has now officially begun.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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