Why Valtteri Bottas may not serve his existing grid penalty upon F1 return

Valtteri Bottas may not have to serve the five-place grid penalty he received at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he returns to the grid next year.

The 10-time Grand Prix winner is expected to be announced imminently as a Cadillac F1 driver for the 2026 season, following news broken by RacingNews365 and Formula.hu that the 35-year-old has signed with the championship's newest team.

However, the Finnish driver may be freed from the penalty he incurred during his final race with Stake, which came before his year on the sidelines as Mercedes’ test and reserve driver.

Just past the halfway point of the season-ending Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, Bottas locked up heavily while defending his position against Kevin Magnussen, who was making his final appearance for Haas.

The pair made contact at the apex of Turn 6, spinning the Danish driver around. Although Magnussen was able to continue - albeit with a compromised race - Bottas suffered terminal damage and was forced to retire.

As a result, he was handed a five-place grid drop for the next race in which he would compete.

With Bottas not holding a full-time seat for the following season, the penalty would carry over to his return - whenever that might occur.

However, a recent change to the FIA’s sporting regulations now requires that grid penalties be served within 12 months of being issued.

It remains unclear whether Bottas will still be obligated to serve the penalty, as it was handed down before the regulation change.

But the expectation is that it could be removed, unless Bottas steps in as a substitute for either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli before 9 December 2025.

Either way, he may begin his Cadillac stint - set to start at the Australian Grand Prix - penalty-free.

Update: The FIA has since confirmed to RacingNews365 that Bottas will have to serve his existing penalty. That story can be viewed [HERE].