F1 star Late FIA penalty set to kick in at Canadian Gp after in...

F1 star Late FIA penalty set to kick in at Canadian Gp after in… read more

Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish Formula 1 driver, is set to serve a delayed grid penalty when he next participates in a Grand Prix weekend. The penalty, a five-place grid drop, stems from an incident during his final race with Sauber at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Although Bottas has not raced since that event, the penalty remains active and will take effect whenever he returns to the F1 grid.

During the Abu Dhabi race, Bottas collided with Kevin Magnussen of Haas in a heavy impact that resulted in Bottas retiring from the race. Because the penalty could not be applied within that race, the FIA ruled that it would carry over to his next Grand Prix appearance. The stewards’ report stated that Bottas, driving car number 77, was on the inside of Magnussen’s car (number 20) on the approach to Turn 6 and significantly misjudged his braking. As a result, he hit Magnussen, who was following the standard racing line. The incident was deemed serious enough to warrant the equivalent of a drive-through penalty, which in this case has been translated into a five-place grid drop. Additionally, Bottas received three penalty points on his super licence.

Notably, this punishment has raised some eyebrows among fans and commentators. The three penalty points and grid drop are considered harsher than the ten-second time penalty issued to Max Verstappen for a collision with George Russell during the recent Spanish Grand Prix. That contrast has drawn attention to potential inconsistencies in how penalties are applied across different race incidents.

Despite being without a race seat currently, Bottas has expressed a strong interest in returning to Formula 1. He has recently been linked to potential moves to teams like Alpine, especially as they prepare to switch to Mercedes power units in the near future. Bottas could potentially replace drivers such as Pierre Gasly or Franco Colapinto, depending on the team’s strategy. Additionally, Bottas has also been rumored as a candidate for a seat at Cadillac, which plans to join the F1 grid in 2026 and has both of its driver spots currently unfilled.

While the looming grid penalty may be an inconvenience, it is unlikely to deter any team seriously considering signing Bottas—especially for a full-season seat. However, in the case of a short-term or one-off appearance as a stand-in driver, such a penalty could prove more problematic.

Ultimately, the situation highlights how the FIA enforces accountability even when incidents occur at the end of a driver’s season or tenure with a team. The delayed penalty ensures that infractions are not forgotten simply because a driver is not immediately active. Bottas’ situation remains one to watch as teams finalize their lineups for 2025 and beyond, with his experience and racecraft still making him a valuable asset despite this minor setback.