Palmer Criticizes Perez's "Audacious" Overtake on Bottas at Chinese Grand Prix

Sergio Perez has drawn criticism from former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer following an aggressive overtaking maneuver against Cadillac teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The newly formed Cadillac team made its maiden appearance on the F1 grid in 2026 as the sport's 11th competing outfit, assembling an experienced driver roster featuring two former champions in Perez and Bottas, who previously drove for Red Bull and Mercedes respectively.

Both Cadillac drivers faced an uphill battle during the Chinese Grand Prix, with Bottas qualifying in 19th position while Perez started from 21st on the grid. During the race, Perez attempted a daring pass on his teammate that caught Palmer's attention.

Palmer's assessment of the move was unforgiving, describing the maneuver as audacious but ultimately questioning Perez's driving judgment. The pundit pulled no punches in his evaluation, dismissing the overtaking attempt as "not a good bit of driving," suggesting that while the move showed aggression and ambition, it lacked the tactical restraint expected from experienced drivers.