Valtteri Bottas says Cadillac has made positive its drivers are below no illusions over how laborious the latest Method 1 staff’s early years within the sport will probably 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 staff’s growth. Bottas is at present reserve driver at Mercedes and has 10 wins to his title, however says the completely different problem of serving to such an enormous staff begin from scratch was attractive sufficient to abdomen probably being behind the grid initially.
“For me, it’s kind of like after I joined from Mercedes to Alfa – I type of needed to reset the targets,” Bottas stated. “I’ve type of performed 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 straightforward street, for the primary 12 months, it’ll be troublesome.
“I’ve signed up for this – I do know what to anticipate. All the time mentally, should 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 fingers soiled with the staff, 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 performed this within the historical past of F1, to be a part of a brand new staff 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 will be racing in aggressive equipment quickly sufficient, regardless of each turning 36 earlier than the beginning of subsequent season.
“Truly, the primary talks we had with Graeme about this chance was about two years in the past now, and he is all the time 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 need. I wish to be a part of this nice model, this, for instance, start-up Method 1 staff, however with nice construction and large targets. And I am right here to present every little thing I’ve to the staff.
“With Checo, we will positively information to the correct path. After all, we’re sensible. It may be a mountain of labor to do, and it’ll in all probability 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 wish to end final.
“I imagine with this construction, with this group, these individuals, there is not any purpose why we should not be capable to get comparatively rapidly as much as the tempo and that approach take pleasure in 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 finally once we get there.”
