Bottas: I find the collaboration with Cadillac very interesting.

      Valtteri Bottas became the hero of the latest edition of the podcast Beyond the Grid on the official website of the championship and spoke about his moods this year when he collaborates with Mercedes as a reserve driver, as well as about theoretically possible career options, including Cadillac F1.

      "In my youth, when I first debuted in Formula 1, I was very shy, very uptight and was almost like a robot driving a car," the Finn admitted. – I tried to hide my emotions, I didn't allow myself to be who I really am, you know?

      But over the past 12 years or so, I have become much more mature, although I believe that the character traits that are manifested now have always been characteristic of me. This is how I was before, if you remember, for example, how I behaved in the company of close friends. But, of course, as you gain life experience, you start to look at everything differently and see the picture in its entirety.

      Now, it seems to me, I understand life much better than even five years ago. I also think it's very important not to take yourself too seriously. I would say that I have improved as a professional racer as well.

      And in general, everything suits me: the way I am, the way I look, and the way I pilot! (laughs) Although, if we talk about racing, I definitely don't have enough of it right now. I didn't become a reserve driver because it was my personal choice.

      As soon as I realized that I would not be racing this year, I immediately felt that I had not done everything in Formula 1 yet, I am capable of a lot, and racing remains my first priority. And now that I'm watching everything from the sidelines, these feelings are only getting stronger. I really miss racing. 

      I was considering various options for this year, but I decided that it would be better if I stayed in the paddock, continued to work with one of the best Formula 1 teams, and this would allow me to keep abreast of everything that is happening in the championship in 2025, including in technical terms. After all, the development in our sport never stops, it continues all the time.

      I also wanted to collaborate with a team that would give me access to certain information related to preparations for 2026, as well as allow me to participate in tests. That's why I chose this path and I hope that I can keep in good shape for next season,

      including a number of tests planned for the summer, and I hope that this, as well as working on the simulator, will allow me to stay at a good level. At Mercedes, they don't hide anything from me, they don't hide anything when I arrive at the team's base in Brackley, and when I ask questions, I get answers. 

      Toto Wolff has known me for a long time and understands that I want to return to racing. I think he would also like to see me driving a car on the starting field."

      When Bottas was asked what career options he was considering, at least theoretically, he replied:

      "I don't see any reason why Mercedes could decide to change its current line-up, although if I were team principal, I would certainly invite Valtteri Bottas! (laughs) 

      Speaking of Red Bull, I do not know if they are considering candidates for drivers who did not participate in their youth program. They have a lot of their own drivers there, and they also have a Racing Bulls team. But it seems that piloting their car is not easy, although, of course, Max copes with this task. But in fact, he's almost beyond the capabilities of this car, and any driver who becomes his team-mate doesn't look good against his background. 

      I don't know, but I was just wondering: maybe an experienced professional is needed to find an approach to such a car? (laughs) But these are just my own assumptions, although I think Red Bull knows that I really want to return to racing, and they know that I don't have a contract for next year. However, I am not aware of their views on this issue. 

      I haven't had a conversation with them about cooperation in 2025. This topic was quickly closed because there is one person in the Red Bull organization who, for some reason, does not have the best attitude towards me. But that's life.…

      I haven't had any contact with Alpine personally, but I have a management team that constantly monitors everything that happens. Starting next year, this team will have Mercedes power plants, and this year they have already changed drivers once, so let's see how things develop further. In their situation, an experienced professional wouldn't hurt them either, and there's too much politics in Formula 1.

      I don't have tens of millions to pay for a place in the team, although there are personal business partners who could theoretically join such a project. However, we'll wait and see. You never know in advance what opportunities may open up."

      One of these possibilities – again, theoretically – is related to the Cadillac factory project, and now the future team is in full swing preparing for its debut in the World Championship, scheduled for next year. On the one hand, Bottas' name is on their list of candidates, on the other, they are in no hurry to decide on the squad.

      "I don't think they are in much of a hurry," Valtteri commented. – They have a lot of work related to the creation of the car right now. If we talk about deadlines, I only know by what time I would like to decide on plans for next year – I would prefer it to happen around August.

      In general, there are a lot of riders on their list, but I can assume that my experience may be useful to them. And it seems to me that this is a very interesting project, the authors of which may have a slightly different view of Formula 1.

      If I were to become a rider of this team, I would find it very interesting to cooperate with it, because it is an opportunity to start from scratch and in many ways influence certain points, including the direction of development. And if the project becomes successful, it will motivate everyone very much."