A Formula 1 driver has already been handed a penalty for the Australian Grand Prix, three months before the 2026 season begins.
In March, the 2026 F1 campaign will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place around Albert Park in the city of Melbourne.
From next year onwards, F1 will look very different with huge changes made to the technical regulations.
It has been said that the cars are set to be smaller and lighter, which should provide better on-track action.
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In addition, there will also be two extra cars on the grid, with Cadillac joining the sport as the 11th team.
For their debut season, Cadillac decided to go with experience by naming Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers.
However, three months away from the first race of the season, Bottas has already been given a penalty.
This is because the 36-year-old was involved in an incident during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which was his previous outing as an F1 driver.
At the time, Bottas, who was driving for Kick Sauber, collided with Haas star Kevin Magnussen.
After an investigation, the stewards blamed Bottas, handing him a five-place grid penalty.
As per the official FIA document, the penalty will be served in 'the next Race in which the driver participates', which is set to be the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
According to NINE News, an FIA spokesperson confirmed that the penalty will stand.
The spokesperson said: "Currently, the penalty will stand, as there is no mechanism to retroactively amend the penalty that was applied under the regulations in force at the time.
"The change of regulation is intended to avoid similar anomalous situations in the future."
The mentioned 'change of regulation' refers to a new rule that has been brought in for 2026.
From next year, all penalties handed out will reportedly 'expire' after 12 months.
FIA said: "A drop of any number of grid positions at the driver's next Sprint or Race in which the driver participates in the subsequent twelve-month period."
Marcus Chan