Valtteri Bottas: Cadillac's debut season will be challenging.

      Valtteri Bottas returns to the grid next season with Cadillac. The Finnish driver admits the team faces a difficult debut season, but he is mentally ready for any hardships.

      Valtteri Bottas: "For me the situation is a bit like when I moved from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo. In a way I had to reassess my goals back then. And now mentally I’ve already gone through that process.

      We talked a lot with Graham Loudon, and he always said there would be no easy way, and the first season would be especially tough. But I signed up for this myself because I know what to expect. It’s better to prepare mentally for the worst-case scenario, because if we manage to achieve something it will be a great reward.

      Being part of the project and working with the team is a good motivation for me in itself. It's all about managing expectations and working hard. Then the results will come. That’s exactly why I’m involved in this project."

      Bottas added that he began initial talks with team principal Graham Loudon two years ago, when he was driving for Sauber and the new team’s entry into Formula 1 had not yet been approved.

      "Graham was constantly in touch with me and told me how things were progressing," Valtteri continues. "And at the beginning of this year I clearly understood that I wanted to be involved. I want to be part of this great brand, this, let’s say, Formula 1 startup with a great structure and big ambitions.

      Together with Sergio Pérez we will give our all for the team. We will definitely be able to steer it in the right direction. But, of course, we must remain realistic. We face an uphill climb, and since this is Formula 1, the start can be difficult.

      But we didn’t come to stay behind and finish last. I believe in these people and our structure. There’s no reason why we can’t quickly pick up pace and achieve our first success. Sergio and I still have several years in hand, so our goal is to enjoy that success together when we achieve it."