Valtteri Bottas: It's important to avoid excessive expectations.

      Valtteri Bottas is convinced that for his new team, Cadillac F1, it is important to avoid excessive expectations in their debut season.

      "I think 'excitement' is the right word that precisely describes my mindset," the Finnish driver shared in an interview with RacingNews365. "Confidence comes from the fact that everything is still going according to plan, deadlines are being met. There are no serious setbacks, although starting from scratch is very challenging.

      "It is very important to avoid excessive expectations, especially in the first season, above all in its first quarter. We must remain realistic, because it will take time to achieve anything, but I am ready for that. Personally, I intend to start the season without any particular expectations. At the beginning they should be more modest, since we need to find out what level we are at, although the more important question is what level we will be able to reach, and how quickly that will happen."

      However, Bottas is a little worried that he cannot yet fully switch to working with Cadillac, since he remains Mercedes' reserve driver until the end of this season: "If I could, I would probably already be doing more work for the team now, because there is so much to prepare. But I participate in all the key meetings and even at this stage I can provide the team with important information — discussions on certain topics are already underway.

      "I can take part in meetings online, the team has information about my driving style and the telemetry data that are not a secret. I have already visited the Cadillac F1 base in Silverstone, we are in constant contact, although I am not as immersed in the team's affairs as Sergio is, because I simply do not have that opportunity.

      "Of course, it is a unique situation, but it is what it is. However, priorities must be observed, because I am still working at Mercedes and must be ready to get behind the wheel every weekend. But when I have free time, I, of course, try to use it thoughtfully with an eye to the future."

      When Bottas was asked how his relationship with Sergio Pérez is shaping up, he replied: "We spent a day together in New York when the team announced the 2026 lineup, and it seems he is easy to work with. He is very calm and is also very happy to be returning to Formula 1 — I think we will make a pretty good duo and be able to work effectively for the team. Its interests are a priority for both of us, we are not going to get carried away with rivalry between each other, so it seems to me that Cadillac took a fairly rational approach to forming the lineup."