Valtteri Bottas is eagerly anticipating his collaboration with Sergio Pérez in 2026, as both drivers become part of the brand-new Cadillac Formula 1 team. The Finnish racer speaks highly of his future teammate and expects a strong and harmonious partnership.
Although Bottas and Pérez competed against each other in the intense title fight between Mercedes and Red Bull in 2021, their mutual relationship has always remained positive. “Despite racing for rival teams in a fierce title battle, I’ve always had a good relationship with Sergio (Pérez),” Bottas tells Crash.net. “He’s always been friendly, and I’ve always respected him. He’s a great guy. I think we’re going to form a strong team.”
Bottas emphasizes that their shared experience and similar character traits form a solid foundation for the Cadillac project. “Pérez seems like someone you can easily work with – and I’m the same. So that should work out,” says the Finn. “The most important thing is that we help the team move forward, rather than wasting too much time on internal strife. The priority is the team – and we both understand that.” However, Bottas hopes for healthy competition. “Let’s hope we’re close in terms of speed. That helps both of us to improve and push each other to a higher level.”
Building a Strong Team
Bottas notes that Pérez is just as excited about the upcoming Cadillac project as he is. “I think he’s as eager as I am. He’s really looking forward to it,” he says. “He’s had a different year than me – traveled less, spent more time with his family. Sometimes that can be good, a mental reset. But he’s eager to get started again.” With their combined experience and team-oriented mentality, Bottas hopes they can give Cadillac a flying start in 2026. “As drivers, we really need to put the team first. That’s exactly what Cadillac needs in the coming years.”
