After years spent racing for giants like Williams and Mercedes, Bottas has found himself in unfamiliar territory with Cadillac’s brand-new Formula 1 project.
And for once, the Finn isn’t just adapting to a new machine – he’s helped shape it from the ground up.
In a sport where most drivers inherit years of engineering legacy, Cadillac’s clean slate has offered Bottas a rare opportunity to influence the DNA of a car before it even turned a wheel in anger.
“I’ve never been part of designing a steering wheel layout, or you know, choosing the exact buttons for the wheels,” he told Sky Sports F1.
That level of involvement might sound minor to outsiders, but in Formula 1, the steering wheel is a cockpit command center – a dense array of switches, dials, and toggles that control everything from brake balance to energy deployment.
For Bottas, having a say in that detail represents a fundamental shift.
“For example, choosing the very own steering ratio I want, stuff like that. There’s so much more you can do when you are starting as a new team, when you are not carrying any habits or bits from the past. You can really be part of designing everything in the car, which is super cool,” he added.
It’s a stark contrast to his previous roles at established teams, where evolution often outweighs revolution. At Cadillac, there is no past – only possibility.
Building from scratch – and building smart
The challenge of entering Formula 1 as a fresh team in 2026 was always going to be immense. Yet early signs suggest Cadillac is not just surviving, but quietly laying solid foundations.
Alongside teammate Sergio Perez – himself a race winner with Red Bull Racing – Bottas has helped guide the team through its first critical races. Reliability, often the Achilles’ heel of newcomers, has been a relative strength.
More importantly, the duo brings a combined wealth of experience from the very top of the sport.
“I think we have both seen a lot in this sport, we have seen what works with a good team, and we have both also seen what doesn’t quite work,” Bottas added.
“We have both seen the good and bad. I think we have a good understanding of what the team needs, what the car needs to operate to be at the best level. So, I think together, especially with the mindset we both have, we are definitely putting the team first ahead of us. That will hopefully help us to improve quicker.”
It’s a philosophy that feels almost old-school — two experienced drivers prioritizing long-term progress over short-term glory. But for a team writing its first chapter, that mindset could prove invaluable.
Read also:
Towriss: Cadillac engine programme running ‘ahead of schedule’
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