Bottas reveals three-year lead-up to Cadillac F1 deal

Valtteri Bottas has confirmed his discussions to join the new Cadillac Formula 1 team began over three years ago, long before the squad's official entry was granted. As the team begins its first pre-season test in Bahrain, Bottas described an organization fueled by deep emotion and rapid growth, highlighting the significant personal investment from its members.

Why it matters:

The revelation underscores the long-term planning and persistence behind Cadillac's F1 project, which faced uncertainty during the original Andretti application process. For Bottas, securing a seat with a manufacturer-backed team with massive resources represents a crucial next chapter in his career, moving him from the midfield to a potential future front-runner with ambitious growth plans.

The details:

• Bottas stated his first talks with Cadillac F1 representative Graeme Lowdon started "bit more than three years ago," before the team had confirmation of an F1 entry.
• Serious contract negotiations began once the entry was secured, with Bottas making the Cadillac project his "priority" for 2025.
• He expressed surprise at the team's advanced state of readiness, noting continuous hiring and facility expansion in both the UK and the US.
• Bottas emphasized the team's serious commitment, stating, "They're not here for fun…" and recounted the emotional reaction when the car first ran.
  • "There was people crying when the car ran for the first time. That's how much it meant to the people working flat out so long."

What's next:

The Cadillac F1 team joins the rest of the grid for official pre-season testing in Bahrain this week, following its high-profile livery reveal during the Super Bowl halftime show. All eyes will be on the team's initial performance and reliability as it begins its journey as the 11th team on the grid, with Bottas and teammate Sergio Perez at the wheel.