Next year, Cadillac will make its debut as the eleventh team on the Formula 1 grid. Under the influence of automotive giant General Motors, the project is opting for a strong American presence. However, there is also room to attract experts; staff familiar with the ins and outs of Formula 1. Former race winner and Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas showed a surprising amount of interest in collaborating with Cadillac this week. Is he applying for a seat?
“I know when I want clarity about next year,” Bottas said in the Beyond the Grid podcast. “I’m thinking August, that seems like a good time. That being said, I hope to know more soon.” Regarding a collaboration with Cadillac, Bottas expressed considerable interest. “I think they have a number of drivers on their list,” the Finn suggested. “But my experience could be decisive. I’ve now driven for three different teams – one of which was mega-successful,” he referred to Mercedes.
‘Interesting Project’
“Cadillac is just a very interesting project for me,” Bottas continued. “It’s something completely new. Perhaps an American team has a completely different view of the sport. Suppose I get to work there as a driver, then I really start from scratch. The idea that you can then influence certain choices is very exciting. That’s motivating – and if the team turns out to be successful, it’s extra rewarding.”
Cadillac senior advisor Mario Andretti, the last American to win a Formula 1 world title, revealed in February that the team prefers to contract an American driver and an experienced veteran. There are plenty of contenders in the latter category, including Valtteri Bottas, but also Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Pérez. These three veterans have won ten, eight, and six Grand Prix races respectively.
