Valtteri Bottas drives car #77 for Cadillac in 2026, with 10 victories, 20 pole positions, and 67 podiums from over 240 race starts through the end of 2025. Born in Nastola on August 28, 1989, he spent five seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, contributing to five consecutive Constructors’ Championships and finishing Drivers’ Championship runner-up in both 2019 and 2020.
Bottas joined Williams in 2013 and quickly established himself as one of the finest qualifiers on the grid before earning his Mercedes promotion. After leaving Brackley, he moved to Alfa Romeo (later Sauber) in 2022, bringing experienced leadership to a smaller team before joining Cadillac’s new programme.
For 2026, Bottas partners Sergio Perez at Cadillac to form one of the most experienced driver pairings on the grid. His role extends beyond Sunday results; Bottas will be instrumental in shaping the team’s development culture, engineering processes, and performance benchmarks during their crucial first season. His calm demeanor and precise technical feedback are exactly what a new team needs.
Bottas is one of the finest qualifiers in F1 history when the car beneath him is competitive. His pole positions for Mercedes demonstrated one-lap pace that rivalled anyone on the grid. His understanding of what a championship-winning team requires from an engineering and cultural perspective is an asset that cannot be overstated for a new entrant.
Finnish fans operate in the EET timezone (UTC+2), which adds one hour to the CET-based European races. Most European rounds start at 15:00 or 16:00 Finnish time, making for comfortable Sunday afternoon viewing. Check Finland time for full timezone conversions throughout the season.
At 36, Bottas brings a unique combination of front-running experience and team-building mentality to Cadillac’s maiden F1 campaign. Having witnessed Mercedes’ rise from the inside, he understands the patience, precision, and culture required to build a championship-contending operation from scratch.