Valtteri Bottas set for grid penalty at 2026 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix after power unit changes

Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas will take a sizeable grid drop at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix after the team changed various power unit elements on his car.

Cadillac, powered by Ferrari engines, have fitted a new internal combustion engine (ICE), turbocharger (TC), energy store (ES), control electronics unit (PU-CE) and motor generator unit–kinetic (MGU-K).

As per the regulations, the first time the allocation of any one of the elements is exceeded, a 10-place grid penalty will be applied, with the second time this occurs (and so on) resulting in a five-place grid drop – all penalties at the same event applying in a cumulative manner.

If a driver incurs a penalty exceeding 15 grid places, they will be required to start the race at the back of the field regardless.

All five of Bottas’ new power unit elements are first-time breaches for the 2026 season, meaning he is in line for an official drop of 50 places.

“Subject to Car 77 being classified in the results of Qualifying, Car 77 will be allocated a grid position in the race in accordance with Article B2.5.4b.iv of the FIA F1 Regulations,” read a document from F1’s governing body.

Bottas missed Thursday’s media duties in Mexico due to illness, with team mate and home hero Sergio Perez also feeling unwell and arriving late to the track on Friday.

Both are in practice action for the team as planned, with American Colton Herta only driving Bottas’ Cadillac in Free Practice 1 on Friday as a young driver requirement.

The Finn has yet to be confirmed with the team for 2027, despite Perez announcing his future with Cadillac until 2029.