SPIELBERG — Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac Formula 1 car caught fire at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg after two laps due to brake failure, resulting in a DNF. Bottas reported seeing smoke before Turn 4 and fire upon exiting the turn. "It was really sudden," Bottas said. "I only got the smoke before Turn 4 and then out of Turn 4, I saw the fire. So, it was like smoke before the fire and really rapid. And then even though I didn't use the brakes in Turns 6, 7, 8, it didn't calm down. So, it was clear that everything was just cooked."

Bottas has recorded other mechanical issues this season. At the Monaco Grand Prix, he recorded a DNF due to brake failure. During FP3 at the Barcelona Grand Prix, he lost his brake pedal and radioed, "I've lost my brake pedal. The pedal is completely gone." He used engine braking to stop the car, eventually stopping in the gravel trap at Turn 10. Other incidents have included mirrors dropping off, sidepods flying away, and a snapped suspension during the Canadian Grand Prix. "If we don't finish the races, then we can't really learn much out of the car and the package either," Bottas said.

Why It Matters

Valtteri Bottas's recent DNF at the Austrian Grand Prix due to a brake-related fire is part of a series of mechanical failures for the Cadillac Formula 1 team driver. These repeat incidents affect the team's ability to gather data necessary for car development. The consistent mechanical issues experienced by Bottas have implications for the team's performance throughout the season.