Valtteri Bottas: From Williams and Mercedes to Cadillac F1

Valtteri Bottas has built a Formula 1 career around speed, consistency and experience. From his early years with Williams to five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, the Finnish driver established himself as a Grand Prix winner and one of the most experienced racers of his generation.

In 2026, Bottas opened a completely new chapter by returning to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac, becoming one of the drivers at the newest team in the championship.

From Finland to Formula 1

Born on August 28, 1989, in Nastola, Finland, Bottas developed his racing skills in the demanding conditions of Finnish motorsport. He made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2013, quickly establishing himself as a reliable points scorer and podium contender.

During his Williams years, Bottas collected nine podium finishes, helping establish himself as one of the leading young drivers on the grid. His performances eventually earned him a move to Mercedes for the 2017 season.

The Mercedes Era

Bottas joined Mercedes in 2017, replacing Nico Rosberg after Rosberg's retirement.

His first victory came at the 2017 Russian Grand Prix, and he went on to become an important part of Mercedes' championship-winning era.

Between 2017 and 2021, Bottas recorded:

• 10 Grand Prix victories
• 58 additional podium finishes
• 20 pole positions
• Two-time Drivers' Championship runner-up, in 2019 and 2020
• Multiple Constructors' Championship successes with Mercedes

His 2019 season was particularly strong, with four race victories and second place in the Drivers' Championship behind Hamilton.

A New Chapter with Alfa Romeo

After five seasons with Mercedes, Bottas moved to Alfa Romeo for 2022, replacing fellow Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen.

The move gave Bottas a new role as the experienced leader of a developing team. He remained with the organisation through its transition toward Kick Sauber, racing alongside Zhou Guanyu.

Bottas finished his full-time F1 period with the team at the end of 2024.

Mercedes Reserve Role

Without a full-time F1 seat for 2025, Bottas returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver.

The role kept him closely connected to Formula 1 while allowing him to remain involved with a team he already knew extremely well.

It ultimately became a bridge to his next opportunity: Cadillac.

Valtteri Bottas and Cadillac F1

Cadillac joined Formula 1 in 2026 as the championship's 11th team, making it the first completely new entrant since Haas joined the grid in 2016.

The team is backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, with its F1 operation based in Silverstone. For its debut season, Cadillac uses a Ferrari power unit and gearbox while General Motors develops its own future power-unit programme.

Bottas was selected alongside Sergio Perez, giving Cadillac two drivers with extensive Formula 1 experience.

Bottas races under his familiar number 77.

The Cadillac MAC-26

Bottas' 2026 campaign is centered around Cadillac's first Formula 1 car, the MAC-26.

For a brand-new team, the first season is an important development period. Cadillac has had to establish its infrastructure, understand its car and build experience against established Formula 1 competitors.

The team's early season included reliability and performance challenges, while an upgrade package introduced in Austria provided a significant development step. Formula 1 reported that both Bottas and Perez were beginning to close the qualifying gap to teams around them during the season.

Bottas' 2026 Season

As of the latest Formula 1 results after the 14th Grand Prix, Bottas has recorded 0 championship points and sits 22nd in the Drivers' Championship.

His best race finish so far is 13th at the Chinese Grand Prix. He has also recorded six DNFs during the season.

Cadillac itself remains 11th in the 2026 Constructors' Championship at this point in the season.

These results are part of Cadillac's first season of competition, with the team continuing to develop its car and technical operation.

The Experience Behind Number 77

The number 77 has become closely associated with Bottas throughout his Formula 1 career.

Behind that number is a driver with:

260 Grand Prix entries
10 Grand Prix victories
67 podiums
20 pole positions
1,797 career points

That experience is now part of Cadillac's first-generation Formula 1 project.

Valtteri Bottas-Inspired Motorsport Racewear

Valtteri Bottas' career provides strong inspiration for modern motorsport apparel.

Our Valtteri Bottas-inspired racewear combines Formula 1 styling with Finnish racing identity, driver-number graphics and Cadillac-inspired black-and-gold design elements.

Whether you're looking for a Valtteri Bottas racing suit, F1-inspired racewear, motorsport jacket or racing apparel, these designs are created for fans who appreciate Bottas' journey from Williams and Mercedes to the new Cadillac era.

Explore Valtteri Bottas-inspired motorsport racewear and celebrate the next chapter of his Formula 1 story.

From Mercedes to Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas' Formula 1 career has already taken him through Williams, Mercedes and Alfa Romeo/Kick Sauber.

Now, he is helping write the opening chapter of Cadillac Formula 1 Team.

For a driver with 260 Grand Prix entries, 10 victories and 67 podiums, the move represents another major chapter in an already extensive F1 career.

From Finland to Williams. From Mercedes to Cadillac. The Bottas story continues.