New Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas says he is not prepared to fight at the back of the grid when he returns in 2026, Afrosport reports.
The 35-year-old Finnish driver will team up with former Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez as Cadillac becomes the 11th team on the grid ahead of next year’s new technical regulations.
The General Motors-owned outfit will become the second American team on the grid alongside Haas, which was the last team to join F1 in 2016, and will also be powered by Ferrari engines.
“With Checo we can definitely guide [the team] in the right direction,” Bottas said. “Of course, we’re realistic. It’s gonna be a mountain of work to do, and it’s gonna be probably a difficult start because it is F1, but we’re not there to stay at the back.
“We don’t want to finish last, and I believe with this structure, with this group, with these people, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to get relatively quickly up to the pace and that way enjoy some success.
“We still have quite a few years left in the tank with Checo. I think the goal is to enjoy the success together, eventually, when we get there.”
To whom it may concern… Valtteri’s back 😎#F1 @ValtteriBottas pic.twitter.com/D3Dauq2LhE
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 26, 2025
Bottas is currently a reserve driver with Mercedes, where he raced alongside Lewis Hamilton between 2017 and 2021, making 101 race starts, claiming 10 victories, 20 pole positions, 21 fastest laps and 67 podium finishes.
