Bottas says Cadillac’s 2026 F1 entry will be 'epic' as he returns to racing
Valtteri Bottas believes Cadillac are in store for an "epic" 2026 season as they make their debut in Formula 1.
"There's so much to do, and that's been really, really enjoyable."- Valtteri Bottas
The 36-year-old will make his return to the grid in 2026 after a year as Mercedes' reserve driver in 2025, joining the American team at the start of their project.
American car manufacturer General Motors, under its Cadillac brand, will enter the pinnacle of motorsport in 2026 after their bid was accepted by the FIA, with plans to become a full works team by the 2029 season.
With the F1 season just weeks away from beginning at the Australian Grand Prix, there is palpable excitement from everyone involved at Cadillac, including Bottas.
"For me, it's like a comeback," the Finn said to the F1: Back at Base podcast.
"I want to make it the best season I've had personally, when I look at my personal results. I really want to minimise things that I can feel that I could have done better.
"I want to give it all to myself, but first of all, to the team. If I can finish with a feeling that there was nothing I could have tried harder or could have done better, that's a good goal."
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Bottas loving the Cadillac experience
There is plenty of confidence throughout the American team, not least of all from Bottas' new teammate Sergio Perez, stating that Cadillac "will do great things in F1".
"He really seems like an easy guy to work with," Bottas said as he looks forward to collaborating with the Mexican.
"He loves racing like I do, and he doesn't do politics. He just wants to drive, race and make progress."
Cadillac's debut in F1 will be a momentous one, starting from scratch before they make their debut at Albert Park in Melbourne.
It's a major project for the American team, and it is one that Bottas himself has loved being a part of right from the beginning.
"This is the first time in my career I've been part of a team that is actually starting from nothing; to be part of meetings about what the steering rack speed is, where do you want this button on the steering wheel, what do you want on the dash.
"There's so much to do, and that's been really, really enjoyable, being able to make an influence on these early steps. It's going to be amazing. It's going to be epic."
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