BARCELONA, Spain — Cadillac Formula 1 Team qualified at the back of the grid for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, with Checo Perez securing P19 and Valtteri Bottas P20 after both drivers were eliminated in Q1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Perez posted a best lap of 1:17.545 while Bottas managed a 1:17.757, with the pair separated by just over two tenths of a second. The result came after a disrupted final practice session in which Bottas was limited to just 14 laps due to a mechanical issue, while Perez completed 21 laps and finished FP3 in 19th.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon struck an optimistic tone despite the grid positions, pointing to the narrowing gap to the midfield as a sign of progress. “Our gap to the midfield is getting progressively closer with Checo just over a tenth behind one of the Williams, showing the efforts we’re going to as a team,” Lowdon said in a statement released by the team.
Perez acknowledged the team had prioritized race preparation over qualifying performance throughout the weekend. “We focused on the race from the start of the weekend, so Qualifying was always going to involve some compromises,” Perez said. “Even so, I think we maximized our potential today and ended up closer than we expected, which is encouraging.”
Bottas credited the team’s mechanics for recovering from the FP3 setback, which forced him to revert to older parts after sustaining damage during the session. “We had a positive Qualifying considering my FP3 was quite compromised,” Bottas said. “Everyone in the garage did a great job getting the car ready in time. It seems like we’re closer to Williams than before and moving further ahead of Aston, but there’s still improvements to be made.”
Both drivers and Lowdon identified tire degradation and rising temperatures as critical factors heading into the race, scheduled for 3 p.m. local time. Bottas predicted at least two pit stops for most competitors, which he said could create opportunities for the team to gain positions. Perez echoed the sentiment, noting the team has worked to put itself in the best possible position on tire strategy.
Lowdon described the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit as the most demanding track the new Cadillac operation has faced so far this season and said the team would look to capitalize on any opportunities the race conditions present.