Lewis Hamilton reacts to Cadillac signing former Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas for 2026

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Lewis Hamilton will reunite with Valtteri Bottas on next year’s Formula 1 grid. Bottas has just been announced as one of Cadillac’s first F1 drivers.

Bottas lost his seat at the end of last year as Sauber opted for an all-new line-up. He then rejoined Mercedes as a reserve driver.

Hamilton and Bottas share a close relationship after spending five seasons together at Brackley. When the Finn’s departure was announced in 2021, the seven-time world champion called him the ‘best teammate he’s had the pleasure of working with’ (via ESPN).

Cadillac’s line-up will be completed by Sergio Perez, another veteran figure. Hamilton is a fan of Perez despite the past rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton backs Cadillac decision to sign Valtteri Bottas

Speaking to the media ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton offered his endorsement of Cadillac’s driver line-up. The American newcomers shied away from young talent in favour of maximum experience and pedigree.

“They’ve chosen the right guys,” was Hamilton’s verdict.

Sky Germany pundit Ralf Schumacher has questioned whether Bottas is still fast enough for F1. While he boasts 10 Grand Prix victories, he’s just turned 36 and he failed to score a point in his final year at Sauber, albeit in the slowest car on the grid.

However, Hamilton says Bottas fully ‘deserves’ another shot. After racing for Mercedes at the height of their dominance, he can tell Cadillac how to operate like a winning team.

“I’m really happy for Valtteri,” he said. “He’s a good friend and deserves to come back. I know he’ll bring a lot of experience with him to a new team.

“I don’t need to say anything about his talent because he’s shown that throughout his career, I think. But they’re getting probably the most honest, probably the funniest Finn, I would imagine. And just the most genuine person to work with. Honestly, I miss working with him.”

What Sergio Perez said about Lewis Hamilton after signing for Cadillac

Bottas has spoken about Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari this season and partly attributed them to an unfamiliar power unit. He made the same transition when he left Mercedes.

One of the big differences is Ferrari’s greater reliance on engine braking. Hamilton has repeatedly lost time in the braking zones this season, where he was previously supreme.

Bottas’ new teammate Sergio Perez is confident Hamilton will bounce back next year. He may just need to go through the painful adaptation process first.

It’s rare that a new team signs two drivers who are so decorated. Martin Brundle says Bottas and Perez may be frustrated early on, with Cadillac expecting to start at the back, but they’ve both signed for multiple years.