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 in 2026. Bottas, who spent 2025 as a reserve driver at Mercedes, will join F1 newcomers Cadillac for the upcoming season.
The penalty stems from Bottas's final race for Sauber at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he crashed into Kevin Magnussen and retired before serving a time penalty. This resulted in a five-place grid drop for his next Grand Prix appearance, which will now be the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in March.
The FIA has since amended the sporting regulations so that unserved penalties expire after 12 months, but the 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.' The 1996 champion's comments come as Bottas prepares to start the season five places behind his qualifying position at Albert Park, reducing his chances of a strong debut.
Bottas, considered an honorary Australian, will also drive a Ferrari 156/85 at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival the weekend before the Melbourne race. Meanwhile, Cadillac completed a shakedown of their first F1 car at Silverstone, with team-mate Sergio Perez taking the wheel for the limited 15km run.
