Damon Hill Slams Bottas Grid Penalty as “Ridiculous”

1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has criticised the regulations after Valtteri Bottas was confirmed to begin his Cadillac F1 career with a five-place grid penalty at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.

Hill described the situation as “ridiculous”, pointing out that the incident which triggered the sanction occurred more than a year before Bottas even joined Cadillac.

Why Bottas Is Penalised for 2026

The penalty stems from the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Bottas, then racing for Sauber, collided with Kevin Magnussen and was handed a five-place grid drop. Bottas did not race during the 2025 season, meaning the punishment was never served and has now been carried over to the opening round of 2026 at Melbourne.

Reacting on Instagram Stories, Hill summed up his frustration succinctly, writing: “How ridiculous.”

FIA Rule Change Comes Too Late

Ahead of the 2026 season, the FIA introduced a change to the Sporting Regulations stating that penalties not served within 12 months will be erased. However, the rule is not retroactive, leaving Bottas caught out by timing rather than circumstance.

An FIA spokesperson previously confirmed there is no provision under the old regulations to cancel Bottas’s penalty, explaining that the update was designed to prevent similar scenarios in the future.

Cadillac Return Begins With Setback

Bottas returns to full-time Formula 1 in 2026 with the new Cadillac F1 Team after spending 2025 as a Mercedes reserve driver. He will partner Sergio Perez, who has already completed Cadillac’s first on-track running during a Silverstone shakedown.

The grid penalty is an unwelcome complication for Bottas, particularly at a circuit where he has enjoyed major success. The Finn memorably dominated the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, securing a commanding victory at Albert Park, a stark contrast to the compromised start he now faces with Cadillac.

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