Jul.22 (GMM) Valtteri Bottas has again dismissed speculation that Cadillac is preparing Colton Herta to replace him in 2027, insisting the new Formula 1 team continues to support him fully.
Former Indycar star Herta is racing in Formula 2 and contributing in Cadillac’s simulator, fuelling rumours that the American is being obviously prepared for a race seat.
Bottas, who has so far found life at the new team more difficult than teammate Sergio Perez, says the speculation has no basis.
“It’s part of the sport,” he said.
“It’s not the first time I faced those kind of rumours, but it’s a bit of a shame that somebody just makes up complete bullshit. But that’s normal in this sport.”
“I know my situation, the team knows my situation, they support me 100 percent. So that’s why, from my side, it was ok in the end.”
“For every driver at some point of their career, they’re going to go through things like this. So no silly season for me.”
Bottas also insists Herta’s current role is valuable rather than threatening. “He’s been supporting us from the simulator,” said the 36-year-old Finn.
“He’s still learning in F2, so he’s definitely a good asset to have. He’s got different views from his past. He comes from a completely different category, a different mindset and views, so that can help us.”
Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon also rejected the suggestion Bottas is struggling.
“Honestly, I would not classify them as struggles,” he said.
“We’re asking the drivers to do different things all the time. They’re an integral part, both Valtteri and Checo, very much an integral part of the team.”
“One of the reasons why we wanted them in the team is their experience in multiple team environments. They know how important it is to build the engineering team up, to build the mechanics, designers, everybody.”
“So, I think it’s fair to say that they’re doing more than just driving the car. And it’s rare that we’re asking them to do exactly the same thing at exactly the same time.”
“So, I wouldn’t want to suggest that Valtteri’s struggling in any way. I think he’s playing his part at the very pinnacle of motorsport, and he’s helping to drive the team forward.”
Perez has been more openly critical of Cadillac’s early progress, admitting he expected the team to be further ahead.
Lowdon said that impatience is precisely why Cadillac recruited two experienced grand prix winners.
“Being in the game long enough, that’s exactly the comment you would get from an experienced driver,” he said. “The drivers are always going to want to push the team.”
“You ask anybody if they’re happy with the performance within a team, and the reality is, in Formula 1, nobody’s ever happy until you leave, because you’re constantly looking to improve.”
“Checo’s no different.”
Lowdon said both drivers are applying pressure in a constructive way. “One thing I would say is the way they’ve gone about it, I really like,” he said.
“Some drivers could push too hard, and if you push too hard in this game at the wrong time, the results won’t come. So, I think, throughout the team, we have a really good level of tension in a positive way, and you need that.”
“We’re not just here to be an 11th team. We’re here because we’ve got some ambition. So I think that’s really the root of his comments, unless he had a crystal ball and knew exactly where everything was going to be.”
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