P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Valtteri Bottas had reason to celebrate before even turning a wheel in anger in Melbourne, as his return to F1 officially approaches.
Valtteri Bottas had a reason to celebrate even before hitting the track in Melbourne, as he nears his official return to Formula 1 with new team Cadillac, following a year as a Mercedes reserve driver after losing his Sauber seat in 2024. His last Grand Prix had left his return race slightly questionable due to a penalty incurred in Abu Dhabi after a collision with Kevin Magnussen, yet a regulatory change gave Bottas a reprieve. The amendment in the sporting regulations allows drivers with fewer than 15 unserved grid penalties in the past year to start with a temporary grid position based on their qualifying performance. This change meant Bottas’ penalty was nullified, providing him with some good news to share, which he announced on Instagram. When questioned about the penalty at Albert Park, Bottas confirmed the penalty’s removal and expressed gratitude towards the new regulation for sparing him the grid penalty.
