Andretti calls returning F1 drivers Bottas and Perez 'rusty'

Cadillac team director Mario Andretti has described the team's experienced driver pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as "a little bit rusty" as they navigate their comeback season after a year away from the grid. The duo's vast experience is seen as a long-term asset, but their initial performances highlight the challenge of returning to peak form in a complex new car.

Why it matters:

In a sport where marginal gains are everything, a driver's adaptation speed is critical. Andretti's candid assessment underscores the very real performance cost of a season on the sidelines, even for veterans. For the new Cadillac team, managing this re-acclimatization period while developing the car is a delicate balancing act that will define their early competitiveness.

The details:

• Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion and a Cadillac board member, shared his view on the Driven to Wynn podcast, noting both drivers are being cautious to avoid mistakes that could set back the team's development.
• The core feedback from Bottas and Perez points to a car lacking rear downforce and stability, a fundamental handling issue.
• Andretti highlighted the additional layer of complexity: drivers must relearn how to manage the hybrid power unit's energy delivery, including battery charging strategies, on top of adapting to the chassis.
• He contextualized Cadillac's struggle, noting that aside from Mercedes and Ferrari, most teams on the grid are deeply searching for optimal performance with the new regulations.

What's next:

The focus for Cadillac will be a dual development path: improving the car's base performance to address the drivers' feedback, while giving Bottas and Perez the maximum track time possible to shed their race rust. Their combined 533 Grand Prix starts remain a valuable resource, and the team will be hoping that experience translates into rapid progress as the season unfolds. The true test will be how quickly this veteran pairing can return to their proven performance levels and start challenging for points.