Cadillac to probe into the high-speed failure at the Mexico GP that triggered a furious response from Valtteri Bottas.
Cadillac Formula 1 team principal Marcin Budkowski has pledged to prevent incidents like the one that concluded Valtteri Bottas' Mexico Grand Prix from recurring.
Bottas was reaching top speed as he approached Turn 1 on lap 46 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when his front-left suspension failed while he was braking, causing the Finnish driver to slide into the TecPro barrier.
The impact was severe enough that the former F1 race winner remained in his MAC-26 to catch his breath, prompting a red flag to halt the race while marshals began repairing the damaged barriers.
In a team radio exchange that later surfaced on social media, Bottas - visibly frustrated - let out a string of expletives before race engineer John Howard inquired about his well-being. "F**k no," was Bottas' candid reply, reflecting his discontent.
Following a visit to the medical center, where he was given the all-clear, Bottas was released from media obligations. However, during Cadillac's post-race media session, he shared: “It was a significant impact going into Turn 1, but thankfully I’m alright.
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
"I appreciate the medical team for their thorough checks and everyone who assisted at the site. It underscores the dedication the FIA has invested over the years to enhance safety in our sport.
“We need to meticulously analyze every detail as a team to fully comprehend what transpired and ensure we learn from it. We had a strong start and gained some positions, making it disappointing not to finish another race. We'll regroup and concentrate on making advancements in Sao Paulo next week.”
Bottas and teammate Sergio Perez have encountered multiple reliability issues throughout Cadillac's inaugural F1 season, although these have been less perilous, with both drivers able to retire in the pits or stop safely on track.
Addressing the seriousness of the situation during the same debrief, Budkowski remarked: “Everyone is relieved that Valtteri is unharmed after the incident on lap 46. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this failure and ensure that such incidents do not recur."
Perez celebrates 300 F1 races with a strong performance
On the opposite side of the garage, Perez delivered an impressive performance for the team in front of his home fans, marking his 300th race start in F1.
The Mexican driver advanced to 13th place in the early laps based on his merit and successfully defended against his pursuers, though a slow pit stop and a subsequent pit lane speeding penalty—due to a software issue—ultimately hindered what had been a strong performance.
“Focusing on the positives, this was our most competitive weekend in terms of relative speed, and it's very encouraging to see both drivers engaged in the racing pack," Budkowski emphasized.
Dan Towriss, Cadillac Racing, Marcin Budkowski, Cadillac Racing
"Both drivers made excellent starts, particularly Checo, who had an outstanding first lap after both starts and was running as high as P13 at one point. We encountered some technical issues during both pit stops that cost both drivers valuable time and positions on track.
“Congratulations to Checo on his historic 300th Grand Prix start - it has been a remarkable week for him and the entire team at his home race."
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