Bottas ‘definitely appreciating’ F1 more after year out as he explains objectives for Cadillac’s maiden season

Valtteri Bottas has conceded that he “definitely appreciates” everything about F1 even more after spending a year on the sidelines, with the Finn hoping that this “better perspective” will help during a season in which he is aiming for “progress” with the new Cadillac team.

After losing his spot on the grid with Kick Sauber at the end of 2024, Bottas returned to Mercedes – who he previously raced for between 2017 and 2021 – as a reserve driver, maintaining a presence in the paddock as he aimed to make a full-time comeback to the sport.

It was confirmed last summer that the 36-year-old’s goal had been realised when he was announced as part of Cadillac’s line-up for the American outfit’s maiden campaign in 2026, partnering fellow returning driver Sergio Perez.

Asked during Thursday’s media day ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix if he had felt rusty when getting back behind the wheel, Bottas responded: “I haven’t actually – I felt alright! I got plenty of testing, much more testing than normally you get before the season, and I think those few test days I had last year helped keep a bit of a feeling.

“But I have to say, actually, a few things are different. I never expected to be actually kind of happy to be in a press conference! After one year off, it’s like, it’s not bad. So yeah, [I] have a different perspective now.”

Quizzed further on this altered attitude and whether he now appreciates Formula 1 more after being away from the grid, Bottas said: “Absolutely. Having one year of not racing, you definitely appreciate everything about this sport more, and being on the grid is a different feeling.

“So yeah, like I said, even the press conference doesn’t feel that bad today, but ask me in Abu Dhabi! I definitely have a better perspective of the sport and will appreciate it much more than I did two years ago, so hopefully that will help me.”

Bottas acknowledged that he is facing a “very different” challenge this time around as he prepares to race for Cadillac in the American squad’s first-ever F1 season.

“I think it’s quite unique to be in a situation that you’re starting with a new team in the sport,” the 10-time race winner said. “It doesn’t really happen every day, so yeah, very unique.

“It’s been hard work – lots of problem solving – but we’ve already made great progress and really hats off to the whole team being here ready for race one, which I think already is incredible. I’m looking forward to this journey – it’s only the start of it now.”

Pushed on the objectives that he has set for himself and the team going into 2026, Bottas answered: “Progress – that’s the number one thing. We need to get better from the start of the year to the end of the year, which I hope we will.

“Like I said, we’ve had hard work already, but the hard work continues going ahead. With the new power units, with the new cars, it’s the same kind of for everyone, but we have been building everything from scratch, so we need to keep going, keep getting better in all the areas.”