Valtteri Bottas didn’t wait for the desert dust to settle. Hours after closing the book on his year as Mercedes’ reserve driver at Yas Marina on Sunday night, the Finn was already rolling up his sleeves with his new squad, Cadillac, signalling the official start of his 2026 comeback tour.
It was a swift and sentimental transition: one evening spent saying goodbye to a team he once called home, the next spent bolting himself into his future.
Bottas, who spent 2025 on standby at Mercedes after leaving Sauber at the end of 2024, wrapped up his second stint with the Brackley outfit with a warm, unguarded message.
“Thank you, Mercedes,” he wrote on social media. “It was great to be back with the family this season during my ‘gap year’.
“This team always has a special place in my heart, and I really appreciate the opportunity to be the 3rd driver for the team.
“I now respect the team, the sport, and every personnel involved even more than before. Wishing you all the best for the future & see you around soon!”
Bottas first joined Mercedes in 2017 and partnered Lewis Hamilton through 2021, contributing to the team’s championship run and carving out 10 Grand Prix victories along the way. Though his 2025 role was quieter, it clearly rekindled old loyalties.
Mercedes, for its part, granted him an immediate release to begin work with Cadillac – a gesture Bottas was quick to take advantage of.
Straight Into Cadillac Mode
By Monday, Cadillac had already plastered social media with a photo of their new recruit alongside the caption “the time is now.”
And Bottas wasn’t just posing for pictures – he was in the garage completing a seat fit and diving into preparations for the American manufacturer’s long-awaited F1 debut.
©Cadillac
“I’m excited to be starting as a Cadillac Formula 1 Team driver – finally,” the Finn said, radiating the enthusiasm of a man who’s been itching to return to the grid full-time.
“This is a proud moment in my career as it marks the beginning of a new chapter back on the grid with a team that’s starting its journey in the sport. There’s a lot of hard work that lies ahead, so I’m keen to use my experience to help the team now that I’m fully on board.
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“Seeing everything coming together for the first time as a brand-new team is special and makes you realise the momentum of the project. It’s important to get the preparation right as these moments really are the first steps to getting us ready for the first test.
“I can’t wait to get the season started and go racing once again.”
The 36-year-old will line up alongside Sergio Pérez in 2026, forming an experienced duo for the all-new programme.
Cadillac’s F1 Era Begins
Team principal Graeme Lowdon echoed the excitement reverberating through the team’s headquarters.
“It’s great to finally have Valtteri onboard and integrated with the team. We’ve been planning for quite some time now, so it’s fantastic to see these moments happening ahead of our first season on track,” he said.
“I’m proud of all the work everybody is doing in the team. Formula 1 is the greatest team game in the world and it’s times like this where you see the skills, talent and expertise we have, and how well such a talent like Valtteri will be at home.”
©Cadillac
Lowdon’s praise hints at Cadillac’s ambitions: they’re not just entering Formula 1 – they intend to make noise from the outset.
For Bottas, the rapid shift from farewell hugs in the Mercedes garage to precise measurements in a Cadillac chassis marks the beginning of something rejuvenating. A new start, a new badge, and a chance to reassert himself on the grid.
The next chapter begins now. And Bottas, true to form, is already up to speed.
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