Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have revealed how the duo are preparing “for the worst” as Cadillac gears up for its maiden season in Formula 1 in 2026.
Cadillac made a resounding statement of intent when announcing its driver line-up for its debut season in the sport.
The duo of Bottas and Perez will bring invaluable experience to the paddock’s 11th entry – and 16 Grand Prix wins between themselves.
But while the American outfit might have gathered all the ingredients for success, it will have to be patient before it can start knocking on the doors of the bigger teams up the grid.
Perez admitted that a string of failures – as expected – might lead to desperation creeping in, but the team’s promises for the future will help ameliorate the frustration.
“I’m sure that we’re going to start in a very difficult position,” Perez said.
“But to me, it’s not where we start, it’s how quickly we manage to progress. That’s the main thing.
“I know racing drivers can get desperate. Once you are in the grid for 24 races and you are fighting at the back, desperation can come. But to me, the main thing I’m here for is to make progress together with the team and to enjoy the ride.
“Because… at this point of my career, one trophy more, one less, it’s irrelevant. I want to be able to enjoy the ride, but also just give my very best every single weekend. If I’m able to do that for 24 weekends, I’ll be pretty happy.”
Bottas ready to prepare for the worst with Cadillac
The former Red Bull driver’s team-mate Bottas is also acutely aware that he will not jump back into the upper echelons of the grid as he once was with Mercedes.
But the time he spent with Sauber and conversations with Cadillac boss Graeme Lowdon have allowed him to reset his expectations and look to the future with cautious optimism.
“For me, it’s a bit like when I joined from Mercedes-Benz to Alfa, I kind of had to reset the goal,” he revealed. “So I’ve done that process already in my head.
“As we’ve been speaking for a long time with Graeme, he’s always made sure that it’s not going to be an easy road. Probably the first year is going to be difficult.”
The Finn is adamant that the short-term setbacks wouldn’t be detrimental to the morale of the entire team, as his decision to race for the team was an informed choice.
“I’ve signed up for this. I know what to expect. Always mentally, if you kind of prepare for the worst, it’s better, because then whatever you achieve, that’s going to be really positive and rewarding,” he asserted.
“So for me, again, just being involved, getting my hands dirty with the team. Once that progress and success will come, that’s the trigger for me. That’s going to do the thing for me and give me that reward.
“We don’t want to finish last. And I believe with this structure, with this group, 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.
“And we still have quite a few years left in the tank with Checo, I think, so the goal is to enjoy the success together eventually when we get there.”
READ MORE – Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez excited but ‘realistic’ ahead of Cadillac F1 voyage
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