Valtteri Bottas

Is there going to be a teammate rivalry at Cadillac? Bottas clears the air

18:25, 26 Aug

Updated: 18:47, 26 Aug

bySamson Ero

With the Cadillac team officially confirming both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its drivers for the 2026 campaign, conversations have begun to swirl about who could be the lead driver between the pair at the American outfit. However, amid these growing murmurs, Bottas has cleared the air on his battle with his teammate at the F1 outfit.

The former Mercedes driver, who spoke to the media, including GPblog, at the press briefing following the official announcement of his move to the Fisher-based outfit, detailed how the idea of an intra-team rivalry is currently not on the radar of both drivers. The 10-time Grand Prix winner also explained how the focus remains on getting the new team to the front of the grid as quickly as possible.

“I think that's completely parked. I think being each other's enemies, this couldn't be more opposite than the situation we're in now. We're here to work together. We don't need to prove anything to each other. I have respect for Checo. I know he's got respect for me, so we are here in this together and really trying to guide the team forward and give everything to the team.”

Valtteri Bottas has joined the Cadillac F1 team for the 2026 season

Valtteri Bottas commits to putting Cadillac ambitions first

The Finnish driver also detailed how his focus remains on putting the team’s larger ambition first despite aiming to be competitive. Bottas, however, stressed that he still intends to drive as fast as he can despite the team’s unified goal.

“And even myself, I'm sure it's the same for Checo, we don't need to prove anything to anyone. We've got to put the team first. That's what we're here for. And that's probably one of the biggest reasons why we were the chosen ones, that we want to help the team."

"But of course, at the same time, we are competitors. We're going to drive as fast as we can. We want to perform the best we can. But we have very clear priorities on this project.”