Perez Blames Self for Bottas Clash in Cadillac's First Double Finish

In the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit, Cadillac's Sergio Perez accepted full responsibility for a first-lap collision with teammate Valtteri Bottas that briefly threatened the new Formula 1 team's race on Sunday. The incident occurred as both drivers, starting from the back of the grid, navigated the opening corners, resulting in Perez spinning out while Bottas sustained floor damage. Despite the early setback, both Cadillac cars reached the chequered flag for the first time in the team's second Grand Prix outing, with Bottas finishing 13th and Perez in 15th.

Perez, who started 22nd, attempted an inside move on Bottas at Turn 4 but misjudged the closing gap, leading to contact that sent him into a spin. "That was all on me," Perez said afterward. "I saw the gap and I went for it, but obviously, looking at it, Valtteri didn't have anywhere to go. It ended up costing me the race because I spun and lost a lot of time." The Mexican driver expressed relief that the clash did not derail the team's efforts further, calling it "the worst feeling you can have" but attributing it to a simple misjudgment without bad intentions.

Bottas, starting 20th, felt the impact...