Hamilton Backs Cadillac Driver Choices, Expresses Fondness for Former Teammate Bottas
MIAMI, FL – Lewis Hamilton believes Cadillac has made strong choices in signing Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez for their forthcoming Formula 1 entry, praising both drivers’ experience and revealing he misses working alongside Bottas. The seven-time world champion highlighted the value of seasoned drivers for a new team navigating the complexities of the sport.
The addition of Bottas and Pérez represents a significant investment in experience for Cadillac as they prepare to join the F1 grid. With a combined 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 grand Prix wins, the duo brings a wealth of knowledge from top teams – Bottas from Mercedes and Pérez from Red Bull – that Hamilton believes will accelerate Cadillac’s development. This is notably crucial for a brand new team establishing itself in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Hamilton spoke highly of Bottas’ character, stating, “I don’t need to say anything about his talent because he’s shown that throughout his career…But [they’re] getting one of the most honest, probably the funniest, Finns I would imagine, and just the most genuine person to work with. I miss working with him.” He emphasized the importance of experienced drivers for team development, noting, “You’ve got two different flavours coming from Red Bull and Mercedes with different knowledge and experience that they’ll both be able to put into the pot and help the team move forward faster.”
The Mercedes driver also expressed optimism about the overall driver lineup on the F1 grid, stating, “I think so. I think we have a good mix on the grid.” He added, “I think it’s amazing to have an extra team, and…when it’s a brand new team, you have to have drivers who have experience.” Hamilton and bottas were teammates at mercedes between 2017 and 2021.
