Sergio Pérez will start the Dutch Grand Prix from the pit lane after Cadillac opted to break Parc Fermé rules to modify the suspension setup on his #11 entry.
The American squad endured a challenging qualifying session on Saturday, with both drivers occupying the final row of the grid. Pérez ended up 22nd and slowest overall, 0.641 seconds adrift of 20th-placed Oliver Bearman and nearly two-tenths behind teammate Valtteri Bottas.
With little to lose from the back of the grid, Cadillac made changes to Pérez’s suspension setup overnight to seek improved race handling.
The pit-lane start adds to a troubled weekend for Pérez in Zandvoort. During Saturday morning’s Sprint race, a mechanical error occurred on the grid when mechanics dropped the car off the jack minutes before the formation lap, forcing him to start three laps behind the field from the pit lane.
Formula 1 action continues at Zandvoort on Sunday for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all track activities live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.
Starting grid adjustments: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Pos | Driver | Team | Engine | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | Ferrari | Promoted to P21 |
| PL | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac | Ferrari | Pit Lane Start (Parc Fermé Suspension Change) |
Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026
| Session | Local time (CEST) | UTC |
|---|---|---|
| Race | Sunday, August 23 – 15:00 | 13:00 |
Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States
- United States (Eastern Time / ET)
- Broadcaster: Apple TV
- Race: Sunday, August 23 – 09:00 ET
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Why is Sergio Pérez starting the Dutch Grand Prix from the pit lane?
Cadillac broke Parc Fermé conditions following qualifying to make setup adjustments to the suspension of Pérez’s car.
2. Where did Sergio Pérez qualify for the Dutch Grand Prix?
Pérez qualified 22nd and last during Saturday’s Q1 session at Zandvoort.
3. What happened to Sergio Pérez during Saturday’s Sprint race?
Pérez started three laps down from the pit lane after Cadillac mechanics dropped his car off a hydraulic jack on the grid shortly before the formation lap.
