Valtteri Bottas was again hindered by Cadillac Formula 1 Team brake issues in Singapore Grand Prix, although the veteran has described the problem as almost solved. Brake overheating has been an issue throughout the season on the MAC-26, causing four retirements alongside occasional performance losses.
Valtteri Bottas
The new team brought upgrades to Hungary and Azerbaijan, with the latter decreasing brake temperature by 100C as per Valtteri Bottas. However, it wasn’t enough for a trouble-free race in Singapore.
"I had to start increasing lift-and-coast on lap two," Valtteri Bottas revealed. "Eventually things stabilized and I didn't need to do any lift-and-coast for a while, then it came back."
When asked if this race had been a test for the upgrades, the driver noted: "We finished with both cars. I think the problem is almost solved. We should be good for the rest of the year, and next year's design should be quite a bit different."
Valtteri Bottas
The lift-and-coast doesn’t justify Valtteri Bottas dismal pace at Marina Bay, finishing 96 seconds behind team-mate Sergio Perez.
"No pace at all in the first stint, like, talking about a second a lap," he lamented. "Pretty much the same story all through the race."
Sergio Perez expressed more satisfaction: "We were very strong with the pace that we had today. We were very solid out there. We are just lacking a second, a second and a half, to be in the mix."
Cadillac Formula 1 Team has another six grands prix to potentially score its first top-10 finish.
Source: Motorsport
