![\"Bottas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-27-090615.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tValtteri Bottas hits the track in Barcelona. Image: Formula 1<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tValtteri Bottas hits the track in Barcelona. Image: Formula 1<\/p>\n
The Finn took the wheel of Cadillac\u2019s 2026 car during Monday morning at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya<\/a>, marking both the American outfit\u2019s first proper F1 outing and Bottas\u2019 return to competitive running after spending 2025 as a Mercedes reserve driver.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to be back, also with this brand-new team in the sport \u2013 it\u2019s a really, really unique situation,\u201d Bottas said after his opening session.<\/p>\n \u201cI really enjoyed getting back on track \u2013 this was the first time I drove this car, so it\u2019s just good to be out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Cadillac opted to run on the opening day of the five-day shakedown, with Bottas completing just over 30 laps and finishing seventh on the unofficial times as the team focused on initial system checks rather than outright pace.<\/p>\n As with much of the field, the emphasis was firmly on early learning rather than performance.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously performance-wise I wouldn\u2019t say much yet \u2013 the main thing is we\u2019ve got some running done,\u201d Bottas explained.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end we got a little bit longer run in, so these are the first steps of debugging and getting everything to work better.\u201d<\/p>\n Conditions added to the challenge during the morning, with low temperatures making tyre behaviour difficult to assess.<\/p>\n Bottas confirmed the team encountered some issues during the session, something he stressed was to be expected at this stage of the programme.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was cold! Early morning, it\u2019s quite hard to get the tyres to work here, as we know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the temperature picked up things got a bit better.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had some issues throughout the day. Like I said, it\u2019s debugging \u2013 that\u2019s why we\u2019re here, and it seems like every team had some issues.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just now really figuring out those and then getting more and more running each day. But it\u2019s just great to be here and in the car.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond the on-track running, Bottas offered a positive assessment of the environment he has found at Cadillac as the squad builds towards its debut season.<\/p>\n Having joined the team alongside Sergio Perez, Bottas said the challenge of starting from scratch has been matched by the commitment of those involved.<\/p>\n \u201cI really enjoy everything so far with the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone is looking at things with fresh eyes, with a different angle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have lots of experience from different teams, and everyone has been working so hard to be here.<\/p>\n \u201cStarting from zero, it\u2019s a bigger challenge than what the other teams had, I think. So I\u2019m very proud of everyone so far and I\u2019m enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Barcelona Shakedown also represents Bottas\u2019 first extended exposure to F1\u2019s radically revised 2026 regulations, with the Finn highlighting the scale of the adjustment facing drivers and teams alike.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a big difference to before,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cars handle different; we have a bit less load, especially in the high-speed corners.<\/p>\n \u201cThe PU, you have so much more torque out of the corners, but then you have the battery to manage.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd again, for Ferrari this is the first proper day of running with their power unit, so naturally there\u2019s a learning curve.<\/p>\n \u201cStill lots to learn, lots to improve, but it\u2019s quite a challenge for every team.\u201d<\/p>\n F1\u2019s private Barcelona shakedown begins<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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