Sergio Perez takes full blame for 'worst feeling' crash with teammate Valtteri Bottas

Sergio Perez has taken full responsibility for a first-lap collision with new teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Chinese Grand Prix, describing the incident as "the worst feeling you can have" for himself and the team. The contact on Lap 1 compromised both drivers' races, but Perez was able to recover to finish the event, albeit at the back of the field.

Why it matters:

For a brand-new team like Cadillac, internal harmony and clean racing between its experienced driver lineup are critical for development. An early-season collision, even a minor one, risks creating tension and diverting focus from the immense technical challenge of establishing a competitive F1 operation. Perez's immediate and unequivocal acceptance of blame is a positive sign for team dynamics moving forward.

The details:

• The incident occurred as the field emerged from the Turn 2 loop into Turn 3 on the opening lap, with Perez attempting a move on the inside of Bottas.
• Perez spun as a result of the contact, losing significant time, while Bottas's race was also compromised.
• The Mexican driver faced further setbacks, reporting a loss of engine power and battery deployment later in the race while attempting to pass Bottas, costing him additional time.
• Despite the difficult race, Perez highlighted the positive of getting both cars to the finish line, a valuable achievement for a new team gathering data.
• Both drivers downplayed any lasting issue, with Perez emphasizing there were "no bad intentions" and that promptly apologizing for a mistake is the standard protocol between teammates.

What's next:

The focus for Cadillac shifts from damage control to performance development. Perez explicitly stated the team has "a lot of training to do" to be better prepared and avoid losing track position in future races. The incident serves as an early lesson in racecraft coordination for the new partnership, with the priority now being to convert their combined experience into tangible progress on track as the European leg of the season begins.