​Cadillac’s new aero update for Formula 1’s Austrian Grand Prix proved to be a tough test for reliability in extreme heat and demanding track conditions. The team faced a Friday packed with brake and cooling problems, forcing a shift from one-lap speed and strong qualifying to a race setup that could not withstand the Styrian heat. The result was a pair of early retirements: Valtteri Bottas stopped after two laps and Sergio Perez after four, both battling overheating brakes in 93-degree temperatures. This marked Cadillac’s first double retirement in F1.
Perez admitted they underestimated the impact of traffic and heat, calling the weekend the worst yet and saying a substantial process change is needed, particularly regarding upgrades, after an outcome that was “totally unacceptable and very unfortunate for the team.” Bottas echoed the sentiment, noting that higher temperatures and traffic led to a brake-fire situation on lap two and that a fix is essential.
The failure prevented the team from gathering race data on the upgraded car, compounding frustration. Perez stressed that while new teams expect some issues, the lack of visible progress was the most aggravating factor, and he anticipates a major reliability improvement at Silverstone. Bottas highlighted that finishing races is crucial for learning what works, warning that without completing events, the value of the upgrades remains unclear. He also indicated that more redesigns would be necessary, particularly around brake cooling, if Cadillac is to avoid similar outcomes in future races.
Looking ahead, the team’s priority is to finish races, with Silverstone and Budapest identified as critical opportunities to implement fixes and demonstrate tangible reliability gains.