Valtteri Bottas draws an unexpected parallel with Mercedes as Cadillac forges its path in Formula 1's future.
Despite Cadillac's lack of points in its inaugural Formula 1 season, driver Valtteri Bottas asserts that its facilities surpass those of the most successful team in the hybrid era: Mercedes. When asked by the Financial Times if Cadillac's setup outshines that of the Brackley team, Bottas replied, "I would say so."
Bottas raced for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, securing all 10 of his grand prix victories during his tenure with Lewis Hamilton. Familiar with the inner workings of the Brackley operation, he notes that Cadillac's base in Silverstone is just a short drive away.
Teammate Sergio Perez, who spent four years with the successful Red Bull team, echoed Bottas's sentiments. "We visited the factory, and it's incredibly impressive," he remarked. "I've never encountered a facility like this in my career. It's truly remarkable."
He added, "It was wonderful to see. We had discussions with the engineers and everyone involved in the project, reviewing plans and more. It was great to reconnect with the team."
What stood out most to Perez was the freshness of everything. "Firstly, it's because everything is brand new: the equipment, the setups, how well everything is integrated across different departments. It feels like a new home, very well organized. It was fantastic to witness."
A newly finished manufacturing facility in Silverstone is now operational, while construction of installations in the U.S. is ongoing. Cadillac's headquarters is being established in Fishers, Indiana, with powertrain development taking place in North Carolina.
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
A gleaming factory doesn’t guarantee reliability
After seventeen races, Cadillac is still on the hunt for its first point, with Bottas having retired from eight competitions. While he acknowledges that the results may not suggest progress, he emphasizes that improvements are being made: "We are definitely noticing advancements in various areas every weekend. While the results may not reflect that just yet, our team operations are evolving."
He went on to explain why those improvements aren't translating to track performance. "When issues arise, whether during practice or qualifying, it hampers progress. You're focused on resolving problems instead of enhancing performance and speeding up the car."
When asked how he can assist the team in progressing, Bottas remained humble. "The key is to maximize my own performance and strive to be the best version of myself. The same goes for my teammates; I aim to ensure they are performing at their highest potential. Ultimately, that's all we can do."
Constructing facilities, acquiring equipment, and implementing modern processes are the simpler aspects of establishing a new F1 team, as financial resources can cover these needs. However, the journey to develop a competitive car that can finish races and earn points is a slower and less glamorous endeavor.
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