Late FIA Penalty Set to Hit Valtteri Bottas at His N…read more
Valtteri Bottas, the experienced Finnish Formula 1 driver, is set to face a significant penalty the next time he lines up on a Grand Prix grid. Although Bottas has not raced in F1 since his final appearance for Sauber at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the FIA has confirmed that a five-place grid penalty awaits him at his next race weekend—whenever that may be.
The penalty stems from an incident during the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit, where Bottas collided heavily with Haas driver Kevin Magnussen. The crash occurred at Turn 6 when Bottas, attempting to make an overtake on the inside, badly misjudged his braking and slammed into the side of Magnussen’s car. The contact forced both drivers out of the race and triggered a stewards’ review, which ultimately led to disciplinary action.
Since Bottas retired from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and has yet to return to the grid in 2024, the penalty was postponed to his next race participation. The stewards deemed that a five-place grid drop—described as “the equivalent of a drive-through penalty”—was the most appropriate punishment. In addition to the grid drop, Bottas was handed three penalty points on his super license, highlighting the FIA’s view that the misjudgment was severe enough to warrant a strong reprimand.
The timing of the penalty’s enforcement has raised eyebrows, especially as it comes in contrast to other disciplinary measures seen in recent races. For example, Max Verstappen received only a 10-second time penalty for a controversial collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix—a move many fans saw as deliberate. In comparison, Bottas’s mistake, while costly and careless, was not seen as malicious, prompting some to question the consistency of stewarding decisions in the sport.
Despite his absence from the 2024 grid so far, Bottas has made it clear he remains eager to return to Formula 1. The 10-time Grand Prix winner has been linked with several potential opportunities, including a possible move to Alpine. The French team is preparing for a switch to Mercedes power units, and Bottas’s experience with the German manufacturer—having raced for Mercedes from 2017 to 2021—could prove valuable.
Reports suggest that Alpine is considering a shakeup in its driver lineup, with speculation around the future of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. Bottas could be a candidate to replace either driver, depending on how the team evaluates its performance heading into the latter half of the 2025 season. Additionally, the upcoming 2026 entry of the Cadillac team into Formula 1 has opened another door, as the American outfit continues its search for experienced drivers to lead its debut campaign.
While the looming grid penalty may complicate Bottas’s return, it is unlikely to be a dealbreaker—especially if he secures a full-time drive. A five-place grid drop is a nuisance, particularly at a circuit where overtaking is difficult, but it becomes far less significant over a season-long campaign. However, if Bottas were to be called up as a one-off replacement for a banned or injured driver, the penalty could diminish his chances of a standout performance and might factor into a team’s decision.
In its original ruling, the FIA stated: “Car 77 was on the inside of Car 20 on the approach to Turn 6, misjudged his braking significantly and collided with Car 20 which was entering the corner on the regular racing line. As Car 77 retired from the race, the Stewards determine that a grid drop is warranted which is the equivalent of a drive-through penalty. Three penalty points are warranted due to the significant misjudgement of the driver.”
Bottas’s situation remains fluid, but should he return to the F1 grid, he will do so with the added challenge of fighting through the field—just one more twist in the career of one of Formula 1’s most seasoned and resilient drivers.
