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Valtteri Bottas’ drive-through penalty at the Miami Grand Prix highlights Cadillac's ongoing struggles as a new Formula 1 team. While the American outfit made strides with significant upgrades, this incident underscores the operational challenges they face.
Bottas explains that the penalty stemmed from a simple error—he didn’t press the pit-limiter button firmly enough. This mishap reveals deeper issues with the steering wheel controls, as Cadillac awaits improved components from its supplier. Bottas admits, “We're still lacking a bit of feedback on some of the buttons.”
Despite this setback, the Miami upgrades—focusing on a revised front wing and reshaped floor—showed potential, allowing Cadillac to compete more closely with midfield rivals like Aston Martin. Bottas asserts, “I think the upgrades worked,” but acknowledges the team still experiences inconsistencies in manufacturing and preparation, which can be detrimental in a sport where precision is crucial.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon echoes this sentiment, recognizing that the challenges faced are part of the growing pains of establishing a new Formula 1 operation under pressure. Cadillac’s journey is just beginning, and the lessons learned in Miami could shape their future performances.
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