Bottas Begins Cadillac F1 Preparation Ahead of 2026 Return

Valtteri Bottas has officially launched his Cadillac Formula 1 journey, completing critical pre-season procedures including seat fitting at Barcelona's Circuit de Montmeló ahead of the 2026 season. The 35-year-old Finn, who spent 2025 as Mercedes' reserve driver after his race seat departure, is now preparing for his thirteenth F1 campaign with the American manufacturer's new entry.

Why it matters:

• Bottas' early involvement marks the first concrete driver-related activity for Cadillac's F1 program, signaling serious progress in their 2026 entry preparations
• His transition represents a rare dual comeback: both the driver's return after a reserve year and F1's first American constructor entry in 40 years

The Details:

• Seat fitting completed in late January positions Bottas to begin simulator work and physical conditioning specifically tailored to Cadillac's as-yet-unseen chassis
• The driver publicly acknowledged Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's supportive reaction, noting their history since Wolff chose him over Nico Rosberg in 2016
• Technical adaptation: Bottas must adjust to Cadillac's unique cockpit ergonomics while leveraging his experience with Mercedes' 2025 power unit, which will form the basis of Cadillac's initial engine
• His situation parallels Sergio Perez's 2024 comeback after Red Bull's temporary demotion, though Bottas avoids the pressure of immediate race-winning expectations at an expansion team

What's next:

Cadillac's technical team will accelerate wind tunnel testing and component development through spring, with Bottas expected to participate in private shakedowns before official pre-season testing. The Finnish driver's feedback during 2025 development phases will prove crucial for the new team's operational readiness, though FIA homologation deadlines create tight timelines. As the only driver with current-gen car experience confirmed for Cadillac, Bottas' role extends beyond driving duties to helping establish team protocols and technical direction ahead of their delayed 2026 debut.