Bottas to Drive Historic Ferrari in Adelaide Ahead of F1 Return

Valtteri Bottas is set to get behind the wheel of an iconic piece of F1 history, driving the 1985 Ferrari 156/85 at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. The demonstration run comes just days before the Finn makes his official return to the grid with the new Cadillac team at the Australian Grand Prix. The event offers a unique preview of a driver gearing up for a comeback in a new era of the sport.

Why it matters:

This isn't just a nostalgic demo run; it's a strategic appearance for a driver re-entering the F1 circus. For Bottas, it's a chance to shake off the cobwebs and engage with fans ahead of a critical season with a brand new team, Cadillac. The event also cleverly links F1's past in Adelaide with its present-day season opener in Melbourne, generating buzz for the start of the 2026 campaign.

The details:

• The Car: Bottas will pilot the #27 Ferrari 156/85, the same car Michele Alboreto drove to a runner-up finish in the 1985 championship, battling Alain Prost for the title before reliability issues curtailed his challenge.
• Timing: The festival takes place from February 28 to March 1, immediately following pre-season testing and just days before the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
• The Main Event: The highlight demonstration is scheduled for 1:45 PM on Sunday, March 1.
• A Second Ride: Earlier that day, Bottas will also drive a V8 big-block Holden HQ Monaro, embracing the local motorsport culture.

What's next:

Following his historic run in Adelaide, all eyes will be on Bottas as he officially begins his new chapter in Formula 1. He'll travel to Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, marking his first race since 2024 and his debut with the Cadillac team. He will be joined by his former Sauber teammate, Zhou Guanyu, who was recently confirmed as Cadillac's reserve driver for 2026.