Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has criticised the 'ridiculous' circumstances that mean Valtteri Bottas must serve a grid penalty when he returns to racing with Cadillac in 2026. Bottas, who spent 2025 as a reserve driver at Mercedes, will be back on the grid after signing with F1 newcomers Cadillac.
However, his prospects of scoring points straight away will be hindered by a five-place grid penalty he is required to serve at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March. The sanction stems from his final F1 race, driving for Sauber at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he crashed into Kevin Magnussen and retired before serving a time penalty.
The FIA has since amended the sporting regulations so that unserved penalties expire after 12 months, but this change came into effect after Bottas received his penalty. An FIA spokesperson confirmed: 'Currently, the penalty will stand, as there is no mechanism to retroactively amend the penalty that was applied under the regulations in force at the time.'
Hill expressed his disapproval on Instagram, writing: 'How ridiculous.' Bottas, considered an honorary Australian, will also drive a Ferrari 156/85 at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival the weekend before the Melbourne event.
