Cadillac left the Spanish Formula 1 GP with Valtteri Bottas in 18th and Sergio Pérez out of the race, but assessed that it showed positive signs in Madring. The Mexican even reached 15th position before retiring on lap 33 due to a problem initially related to the water system.
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Pérez highlighted that the team managed to compete directly with rivals throughout the race. “Our race was going very well until we suffered from a probable problem in the water system. I think it was one of the strongest weekends we have had as a team so far, pushing everything to the limit,” he said.
The Mexican also emphasized the battles fought before the failure. “We raced against all the cars around us, kept Yuki Tsunoda behind before our stop, and fought with Williams throughout the period, staying less than a second behind Alexander Albon. We can be satisfied with how our race was going.”
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Bottas, on the other hand, had his race compromised right on the first lap after suffering damage in an incident at Turn 1. The Finn completed the 57 laps but had to manage brake temperature problems. “We knew the pace here would be difficult and it was a tough race. The nature of this track highlights many of the problems we have, but we know where we need to improve,” he explained.
Team principal Marcin Budkowski stated that Bottas’s strategy sought to take advantage of possible interruptions but did not bring the expected result. About Pérez, he said the driver gained several positions on the first lap and was battling with Williams and Racing Bulls before retiring, which he classified as due to a power unit problem. Cadillac now prepares for the next street race, in Baku.
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