2026 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX IN MALAYSIA — RACE REPORT
October 4, 2026 — Sepang, Malaysia — The Cadillac Formula 1® Team faced a challenging and eventful Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, completing its first wet-weather running of the 2026 season after the race start was delayed by heavy rain. Both drivers faced strategic tire decisions from the outset, with slicks and wet-weather tires presenting a significant gamble during the changing conditions. The team opted for slicks, but track conditions at the start ultimately favored those who committed to Intermediates. Valtteri Bottas was forced to retire on Lap 9 after losing the car at Turn 13 on the wet track and beaching his MAC-26 in the gravel trap, while Checo Pérez brought his Cadillac home in P19. Despite the result, the Mexican driver’s race provided the team with valuable data and experience in wet conditions, marking the first time Cadillac had run competitively on a wet track since entering the Championship. The team will regroup ahead of the next race in one week, when the Marina Bay Street Circuit hosts the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, October 11.
Checo Pérez: Started: P20 Finished: P19 Fastest Lap: 1:42.688
“It was a very hard race today. We thought it was going to dry up a lot quicker than it did, but from the first lap I realized it was really difficult to keep the car on track.
“We made the decision to pit and, on the Intermediates, the car was actually quite competitive and we were closing the gap to the cars ahead. We managed to put a great gap on the cars behind, so the strategy was looking good at that point.
“Unfortunately, the Safety Car came out and bunched the field back together, which took away the advantage we had built and changed the picture of the race. It was a very challenging race and the feeling in the car was difficult at times. Some cars had a software-related issue at the beginning, which affected the running, and I understand this is something the FIA is looking into closely. I’m sure we’ll learn from it and take those learnings forward into the future races.”
Valtteri Bottas:
Started: P19 Finished: DNF Fastest Lap: 1:59.953
“It was always going to be a risk starting on the slicks with the Soft tire compound and today, it didn’t quite pay off. When the race started and I saw how fast the cars with the Intermediate tires went through, you quickly realize the situation you’re in. We thought the track would dry quicker, and we thought it was worth trying something, but in the end it didn't work out. I took some risks trying to keep up with the pack and in the end it was my mistake that ended our race and I can only apologize to the team for that.”
Marcin Budkowski, Team Principal
“Today was a challenging race and a new experience for the team with our first wet running of the season. We took the decision to start both cars on slicks after the red-flag restart, hoping the track would improve quickly, but the conditions ultimately made the Intermediate tires the better choice. Valtteri unfortunately lost the car at Turn 13 and had to retire early, while Checo brought the car to the finish and collected some valuable data for us. There is a lot for us to learn from today, particularly around tire behavior and car set-up in these conditions, and this experience will be important for the races ahead. We will regroup quickly and look forward to Singapore next weekend, which will present a different challenge.”