Bottas begins Cadillac F1 preparations with key seat fit at Silverstone

Valtteri Bottas has taken a tangible step in his Formula 1 comeback, completing his first seat fitting at the Cadillac team's Silverstone headquarters. The session marks a significant milestone for the brand-new constructor as it builds towards its highly anticipated grid debut in 2026.

Why it matters:

For a new team, the driver integration process is a foundational step that goes beyond comfort—it's about establishing operational rhythm and embedding experience early. Bottas's involvement now provides crucial feedback on the car's packaging and ergonomics, directly influencing the final design before the first chassis is built. His presence also accelerates team culture development for a squad starting from scratch.

The details:

• Bottas visited the team's UK base on Monday to conduct the initial seat fitting, a standard but vital procedure where the cockpit layout is tailored to the driver's physical dimensions and preferences.
• The Cadillac project, originally spearheaded by Michael Andretti, gained formal F1 entry approval after General Motors assumed control and committed its branding and technical resources.
• The team has signed Bottas and Sergio Pérez as its inaugural driver pairing, combining race-winning experience with current grid knowledge.
• With the first pre-season test scheduled for late January 2026, the team is in the final phases of car design and component manufacturing.

What's next:

The seat fitting kicks off an intensive period of simulator work, technical briefings, and further integration for Bottas. Cadillac will now finalize its chassis design based on this feedback before beginning production of the first prototype. All eyes will be on the team's ability to meet the aggressive timeline to hit the track for the 2026 season opener, aiming to avoid the typical struggles of a new entrant.