Lewis Hamilton’s ex-teammate lifts lid on Cadillac – Sports News
Valtteri Bottas expressed dedication to race again, stating “I’ve got a good few years in me” as he contemplates a return to the Formula 1 grid. The 35-year-old Finn discovered himself off the grid final December after his stint at Sauber ended when Audi took possession and determined to pick its own drivers.
Bottas then rejoined Mercedes as a reserve driver, the place he beforehand had a five-year run alongside Lewis Hamilton, claiming 10 Grand Prix victories. However, Bottas is already growing impatient with being on the bench.
“The first race was probably the hardest,” he shared with Mirror Sport from within the confines of the Mercedes motorhome.
“I miss giving it all out there in the qualifying, being on the limit. I miss the racing as a whole and seeing the starting grid just before the race. It’s like, ‘Damn, I just want to be out there’.
“But I believe it is natural. I believe additionally to me that confirms that I nonetheless really feel like I’ve obtained a good few years of racing in me. And I nonetheless adore it. I by no means doubted that I wished to proceed racing, nevertheless it simply confirms that I nonetheless have a large starvation for it. I wish to be back on the grid subsequent 12 months, principally. That’s the goal.”
Bottas and his team are exploring their options, with the entry of Cadillac as F1’s 11th team presenting a clear opportunity. With 22 drivers set to compete next year, Bottas has been rumored to be eyeing one of the two seats opening up with the new team.
He acknowledges having discussions with the American team: “The new staff becoming a member of the game can be thrilling. I believe Cadillac, what we have seen to date, seems to be a actually cool and attention-grabbing project. As a driver, you possibly can type of begin from scratch. Everything is new, so you possibly can truly make a actually large affect and, for me, that is fairly attention-grabbing. There’s been some [discussions]. But they don’t seem to be in a rush and neither am I, actually.”
With approximately a dozen racers reportedly interested in the Cadillac spots, Bottas remains unfazed by the competition.
“My energy remains to be expertise. I’ve been in three completely different groups, I’ve been half of successful 5 constructors’ championships. So I believe that is my energy, that I’ve been in an surroundings and seen what it truly wants for a staff to be successful.”
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If he doesn’t secure a spot on the 2026 F1 lineup, Bottas is open to racing in other series rather than lingering on the outskirts of Formula 1.
“F1 is the precedence, however then I’ve obtained to have a plan B. And one stable option can be IndyCar – I’ve had some discussions, yeah. I believe simply over time on this sport, I’ve discovered you need to have a plan B. Until pen hits the paper right here, nothing is confirmed and I noticed it final 12 months, how issues went. So I’m not doing that mistake again.”
With an enviable track record including five teams’ titles and 10 grand prix wins, Bottas stands among the elite on today’s grid—trailing only behind Hamilton, Verstappen, and Alonso. Yet, without a guaranteed future in F1, he confesses his drive for success remains unquenched.
“No, [I’m] by no means joyful. I imply, yes, if I take a look at the large image, yes, I’ve achieved some cool stuff. But there’s nonetheless this starvation in me that I nonetheless need one thing more. That’s why I’m nonetheless right here.”
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