Valtteri Bottas Begins Cadillac F1 Journey With Seat Fit Ahead of 2026 Return

Valtteri Bottas slid into Cadillac's cockpit for the first time this week, completing his seat fit at the Silverstone facility as the team races toward its 2026 Formula 1 debut. The former Mercedes race driver—fresh off a season as the team's reserve pilot—joins Cadillac after finalizing his contract following last year's Abu Dhabi finale, immediately diving into preparations for January's first test of the American squad's debut car.

Why it matters:

Bottas' integration signals Cadillac's transition from planning to execution phase in F1's most significant new-team entry since Haas. His 246-race experience becomes critical for a startup operation needing to compress traditional development timelines, especially with F1's 2026 regulation overhaul raising the technical stakes for newcomers.

The Details:

• Bottas described his first day as "a proud moment" marking "the beginning of a new chapter," emphasizing his focus on leveraging experience to accelerate team readiness
• Cadillac confirmed January's shakedown at Silverstone will precede Barcelona's pre-season test (January 26-30), with the chassis expected to fire up before Christmas
• Operational Rehearsal: The team recently borrowed Ferrari's 2023 SF-23 chassis for an Imola test—driven by Sergio Perez—to practice pit stops, logistics, and race weekend procedures
• Team principal Graeme Lowdon highlighted how Bottas' arrival validates their recruitment strategy: "You see how well such a talent will be at home" within their technical structure
• Engineering teams are simultaneously finalizing the car's design while preparing for the Super Bowl LVIII advertisement revealing the livery

What's next:

Cadillac's accelerated timeline leaves zero margin for error as they balance chassis development with operational readiness. Bottas' immediate task involves refining simulator work ahead of January's physical test, where cooling package validation and brake system integration will be critical focus areas. The team's ability to avoid the pitfalls that plagued recent newcomers like Haas—particularly in supply chain management and wind tunnel efficiency—will determine whether they can challenge for midfield points in their debut season. With F1's 2026 engine regulations demanding unprecedented hybrid system integration, Cadillac's partnership with Ferrari power units gains added significance as the only new team relying on an established manufacturer's propulsion expertise.