FIA Upholds 2024 Bottas Grid Penalty, Hitting Cadillac’s 2026 Debut
The decision reflects a non‑retroactive update that wipes unserved penalties after 12 months.
Overview
- Valtteri Bottas will start five places back at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne regardless of where he qualifies.
- The sanction stems from his collision with Kevin Magnussen at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- An FIA spokesperson said there is no mechanism to revise penalties issued under the previous regulations.
- The FIA’s rule change now prevents carry‑over sanctions beyond 12 months, but it does not apply to past cases.
- 1996 champion Damon Hill criticized the enforcement on social media as “How ridiculous,” as Bottas returns full‑time with new entrant Cadillac alongside Sergio Perez.