Formula 1 | Valtteri Bottas finished last: “It was difficult”

Valtteri Bottas finished last among the classified drivers at Monza, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli produced a sensational victory after starting 19th. Bottas began the race from 16th but ended 19th, with Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez one place ahead.

The Finnish driver said the 33-degree heat made the race especially difficult for Cadillac. The team has continued to struggle with overheating brakes, and Bottas said the conditions left the cars with few chances. “In this kind of temperature, we don’t have many chances. We did everything we could, and it’s good that both cars made it to the finish,” he said after the race.

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In this kind of temperature, we don’t have many chances. We did everything we could, and it’s good that both cars made it to the finish.

Bottas described the opening stint as acceptable, saying Cadillac had more pace than Aston Martin but remained clearly slower than the other cars. The second stint became harder after the pit stop, when repeated blue flags disrupted his rhythm. Drivers receive blue flags when they are about to be lapped and must make way for faster cars.

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It was quite a lot of adjusting with the battery. On some straights there was power, on others there wasn’t. You couldn’t predict it at all.

He also experienced power problems during both the original start and the restart. Battery output varied from one straight to another, leaving him unable to predict when power would be available. Attempts to compensate with the temporary extra hybrid boost could drain the battery completely. “It was quite a lot of adjusting with the battery. On some straights there was power, on others there wasn’t. You couldn’t predict it at all,” Bottas said.

Bottas acknowledged that he is not a fan of the current system, which drivers have criticized for its complexity and unpredictable power delivery. Formula 1 could return to significantly simplified V8 hybrid engines in 2030 or 2031. Cadillac uses Ferrari power units this season, and Ferrari brought an updated engine to Monza. Cadillac received one as a customer team but did not use it. Bottas said he did not know whether the upgrade would be available for next week’s race in Madrid.

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I liked the earlier version. It was simpler and also more fun. This is different racing, and if someone likes it, great. Everyone can have their own opinion, and I’m happy that we’re moving somewhat back. Back to normal in the future.