The first race on the 2026 F1 calendar is over six months away but we already know one of the 22 drivers on the grid will have a penalty.
Cadillac’s announcement yesterday that Valtteri Bottas will return to drive for them means he will serve a penalty which was issued during his final race.
Driving for Sauber at the time, Bottas retired after incurring damage in a collision with Kevin Magnussen. The stewards held him responsible for the incident, ruling he “misjudged his braking significantly” when the pair made contact at turn six.
Bottas could not serve the penalty due to his retirement. “As car 77 retired from the race, the stewards determine that a grid drop is warranted which is the equivalent of a drive-through penalty,” the stewards ruled, issuing Bottas a five-place grid drop.
Following the confirmation of Bottas’s return to the grid, he will be able to serve the penalty at the Australian Grand Prix in March next year. However the Mercedes reserve driver could still serve the penalty before then if he makes an appearance in a race this year.
Bottas endured a torrid final race last year. His collision with Magnussen followed an earlier clash with Sergio Perez – whom Cadillac have announced as his team mate for next season.
Two other drivers have been handed penalties for future races they appear unlikely to serve. Sauber test driver Robert Shwartzman was given a five-place grid drop despite not having a race seat, following an incident in practice at the Mexican Grand Prix last year. He now races in IndyCar.
Jenson Button was issued a three-place grid drop at the Monaco Grand Prix eight years ago, when he made his final F1 start as a one-off substitute for Fernando Alonso. The 2009 world champion races in the World Endurance Championship for Jota.
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