Bottas finds unprecedented creative freedom designing steering wheels and car components, a stark contrast to his previous F1 experiences.
Valtteri Bottas is one of Cadillac's lead drivers in Formula 1's newest team, having joined the American outfit for the 2026 season. A driver with considerable experience and a highly successful stint at Mercedes — where he helped the team secure multiple Constructors' titles as Lewis Hamilton's teammate — Bottas has found something at Cadillac that he never encountered before.
In a conversation with Sky Sports, the Finnish driver explained how his first months with the team have given him access to processes he had never previously been part of.
"I had never been involved in designing the layout of a steering wheel, or in the precise selection of the buttons integrated into it — choosing the steering feel I want, that kind of thing. We have far more scope when you're starting out as a new team, unburdened by habits or the legacy of the past," he said.
"We can genuinely be part of designing every element of the car, which is really special. It's truly changed things for me. I love being part of this environment. I appreciate this sport, and everything around it, so much more than before — especially the competitive side of it, all the build-up on Sunday: the preparation, getting in the car, the grid, the national anthem..."
He also spoke about the dynamic with his Mexican teammate: "We really appreciate all of it for what it is — we realize how lucky we are to be there. So for me, it's genuinely changed things, and I think it can help me in the years ahead."
"Sergio and I have a lot of experience in this sport. We know what works within a good team, and we've also seen what really doesn't work. Together — and above all because of our shared mentality — we clearly put the team ahead of everything else. I hope that helps us progress faster."
Although Cadillac's decision to sign Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas was questioned by many experts and even fellow drivers — who felt the team should have opted for younger talent — the weeks since have shown how pivotal that experience has been to Cadillac's early development. With championship-winning credentials at Mercedes and Red Bull, plus multiple race victories and pole positions between them, Bottas and Pérez are laying the technical foundation for the team's future — one that will outlast their own time at the wheel.