Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has made positive its drivers are beneath no illusions over how arduous the most recent System 1 workforce’s early years within the sport can be.
Cadillac will be 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 growth. Bottas is at the moment reserve driver at Mercedes and has 10 wins to his title, however says the totally different problem of serving to such a giant workforce begin from scratch was engaging sufficient to abdomen doubtlessly being behind the grid initially.
“For me, it is a bit like once I joined from Mercedes to Alfa – I form of needed to reset the targets,” Bottas stated. “I’ve form of carried out 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 positive that it is not going to be a simple street, for the primary 12 months, it should be tough.
“I’ve signed up for this – I do know what to anticipate. All the time mentally, if you happen to 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 fingers 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 carried out 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 lot 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 stored 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 would like. I need to be a part of this nice model, this, as an instance, start-up System 1 workforce, however with nice construction and massive targets. And I am right here to offer every thing I’ve to the workforce.
“With Checo, we are able to positively information to the precise route. In fact, we’re practical. It is going to be a mountain of labor to do, and it should in all probability be a tough begin, as a result of it’s System 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 folks, there is not any motive why we should not be capable to get comparatively rapidly 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 purpose is to benefit from the success collectively ultimately after we get there.”
