Bottas to Drive Ferrari F1 Car for First Time at Adelaide Festival

Valtteri Bottas is set to drive a Ferrari Formula 1 car for the first time in his career during the Adelaide Motorsport Festival in March. The Finn, who will return to the grid with Cadillac in 2026 as a Ferrari power unit customer, will pilot the team's historic 1985 156/85 chassis on the streets of Adelaide, creating a unique link between his future and the Scuderia's past.

Why it matters:

This event offers a fascinating preview of the new F1 partnerships forming for 2026. With Cadillac entering the sport using Ferrari power units, seeing one of their drivers behind the wheel of a classic Ferrari symbolizes the deepening connections within the evolving grid. It also highlights Bottas's strong ties to Australia, a market and fanbase he has personally cultivated ahead of his return to racing.

The details:

• The Car: Bottas will drive the Ferrari 156/85, the car Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson raced to two victories and ten podiums during the 1985 season.
• The Event: The Adelaide Motorsport Festival takes place from February 28 to March 1 on the Victoria Park section of the city's former F1 street circuit, serving as a prelude to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
• The Connection: Cadillac's F1 entry will be powered by Ferrari engines for its first two seasons, making this demo run a symbolic gesture for the new alliance.
• Personal Ties: Bottas has significant connections to Australia, having purchased a vineyard south of Adelaide with his partner, Australian cyclist Tiffany Cromwell, and co-founding a local gravel cycling event.
• Schedule: He will drive the #27 Ferrari chassis, originally used by Alboreto, in a demo run on the afternoon of Sunday, March 1.

What's next:

The Adelaide festival will be one of Bottas's final public appearances before he officially begins his 2026 campaign with Cadillac. He and teammate Sergio Perez will then prepare for their competitive debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, marking a significant new chapter for both drivers and the expanding F1 grid.