Cadillac slashes brake temperatures by 100C as Bottas ends run of heat-related retirements

Cadillac has achieved a 100-degree Celsius reduction in front brake temperatures following an upgraded cooling inlet and exit duct package introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Valtteri Bottas revealed ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

Brake overheating had become one of the MAC-26’s most damaging reliability problems in its debut Formula 1 season. Bottas was forced to retire in Hungary, Monaco and Austria due to the issue, while teammate Sergio Perez also suffered a heat-related retirement at the Red Bull Ring. The problem further compromised both drivers during the Spanish Grand Prix, where they were forced to manage temperatures throughout the race.

An earlier update to the inlet scoop and aperture surfaces at the Hungaroring failed to provide meaningful relief, but the more comprehensive duct redesign fitted in Baku appears to have delivered. “Good, we’ve reduced about 100 degrees of brake temperature, based on numbers from the previous spec, so that gives us more margin, for sure,” Bottas told Motorsport.com.

The hot and humid Sepang circuit this weekend will serve as a stern test of whether the fix holds under sustained thermal stress, with Perez acknowledging the team expects conditions there to be challenging.

On the power unit side, Perez offered a measured assessment of Ferrari’s ADUO 2 upgrade fitted to the Cadillac. “Not quite the step we needed, but everything counts,” he said, estimating the gain at “just a tenth and a half.”

Off the track, Cadillac moved to strengthen its technical structure last weekend with three high-profile engineering appointments. Former Red Bull chief designer Craig Skinner joins as chief development engineer, former Aston Martin deputy technical chief Eric Blandin takes over as head of aerodynamics, and Tim Lean — who has held roles at McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari — arrives as chief engineer for aerodynamics modelling and simulation.

Perez, who worked alongside Skinner during his time at Red Bull, spoke warmly of the hire. “He made a very big difference with my floor; I remember coming into Baku when we were struggling with entry stability, he figured out a packer into the floor, and it transformed my balance and my car,” Perez said. “He’s someone that really understands what my needs are.”

The Mexican driver framed the signings as a signal of the organisation’s long-term ambitions. “The team is showing how serious they are and how committed they are into Formula 1. Don’t forget that it’s just our first season, so this car is very basic — I have a big hope that next year we will definitely be moving forward.”