Cadillac Dominates Chinese Championship With Superlative Driving Performance
Despite early contact between Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, the new Cadillac team reached the checkered flag with both cars for the first time.
Cadillac’s First Double Finish—Despite Collision Rudy Carezzevoli - Getty Images The new Cadillac team registered another milestone at Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix, as it racked up its first two-car finish. And that accomplishment came despite its two drivers coming together on the opening lap of an eventful race at Shanghai. Sergio Perez ran out of road as the long right-hander of Turn 1 switched to the left-hander of Turn 2, and made contact with Valtteri Bottas’ sister MAC-26.
Bottas was able to continue, but Perez spun and dropped to the rear of the field. Fortunately, despite the wheel-banging moment, and the delay, Bottas and Perez were both able to reach the checkered flag. Bottas took 13th—Cadillac’s best result so far—while Perez was the last of the 15 classified finishers, with the duo sandwiching the penalized Haas of Esteban Ocon.
Aston Martin’s double retirement—for the second race in a row—means that Cadillac holds 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship. Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon. Rudy Carezzevoli - Getty Images “We can be very pleased with that result,” said Team Principal Graeme Lowdon.
“We saw today that the complexity of the new cars has given some experienced teams significant issues, so to get two cars to the finish at the end of our second-ever race weekend is a great achievement for everyone. “More than that, we showed a good step forward in pace and overall performance throughout the weekend and were able to race other teams. ” Perez held up his hands over the opening lap skirmish.