Bottas: ‘Managing expectations’ key to Cadillac’s F1 rookie season

Valtteri Bottas has warned that Cadillac’s debut season in Formula 1 must be guided by patience and perspective, as the Finnish driver prepares to lead the American brand’s endeavor into Grand Prix racing in 2026 alongside teammate Sergio Perez.

The GM manufacturer’s bold leap onto the grid as the sport’s 11th team – complete with a Ferrari engine deal and a seasoned driver lineup – has generated a lot of excitement among pundits and fans alike.

But in typical restrained Finnish fashion, Bottas is sounding a note of caution, urging his new team to temper expectations as they navigate uncharted waters, with F1’s regulation overhaul only adding to the challenge.

For a rookie team building from scratch, the endevour is monumental. Bottas, however, is encouraged by the progress so far.

“I think exciting is the right word, and what gives me confidence for now is that everything still seems to be on plan, on schedule,” Bottas told Dutch website RacingNews365.

“There’s been no big hiccups, but it’s going to be hard starting everything from nothing.”

‘We need to be realistic’

With Cadillac becoming the first new team on the F1 grid since Haas in 2016, Bottas believes the most crucial task in year one will be to stay grounded and realistic about what can be achieved.

“There’s a lot about managing expectations, especially for the first season, but especially kind of the first quarter,” he explained. “We need to be realistic. It is going to take time, but I’m prepared for that.”

The 36-year-old, who’s returning to the grid after a year as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025, knows better than most that F1 rewards patience as much as pace.

“I can’t have super expectations to start with, so I think it is better to go in with lower expectations first, and it is more about figuring out where we are, but the most important thing is where we end up, and how quickly,” he added.

The 2026 season’s new power unit and aerodynamic regulations will add another layer of complexity to an already ambitious undertaking.

Yet Bottas’ calm assessment reflects experience earned from over a decade in F1, including stints with Mercedes and Alfa Romeo.

Balancing Commitments and Building a Future

The ten-time Grand Prix winner admits his involvement with Cadillac remains limited for now, as he serves his final months with Mercedes and divides his focus between his current role and his future employer.

“I mean, if I could, I probably would do more stuff with the team, because there is a lot to prepare, but the key meetings and the key information I can give at this stage, we’ve had those conversations,” he explained.

“I can still do online meetings, and they have my steering traces from the past, the assistance levels and the ratios and things which are not a secret.

“I’ve been to the Silverstone facilities already, we’re already in touch, but I am not involved as much as Checo because I can’t be; I’m here, but it is just what it is.

“It is a unique situation for sure, but the priority is here, Mercedes is still my employer, and I’ve got to be ready for each weekend, just in case. But when I have free time, of course, I am going to try and use it wisely, which is working for the future.”

A Calm and Composed Partnership with Perez

Bottas’ partnership with Sergio Perez – once his on-track rival during Mercedes’ duels with Red Bull – promises to bring stability rather than friction.

“We spent the announcement day together in New York, and he seems like an easy guy to work with,” Bottas reflected.

“He’s very calm, he’s also excited to get back in, and as a pair, I think it just makes sense because we can really work together for the team, we’ll put the team first instead of focusing on each other, so it makes sense.”

With experience, maturity, and a level-headed approach at the core of Cadillac’s driver lineup, Bottas’ words set the tone for what’s to come: a careful climb rather than a sprint to glory.

As Formula 1 prepares to welcome its newest entrant, Bottas’ message rings clear – excitement is warranted, but expectations must be managed.

As F1 fans eagerly await Cadillac’s first lap, Bottas’ grounded outlook is a reminder that in a sport defined by split-second decisions, sometimes the smartest move is to take your time.

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