Sergio PEREZ vs Valtteri BOTTAS
Did our AI pick the right driver?
Every prediction we publish ranks the full grid. For each round we take the driver we placed higher of these two, then check who actually finished higher.
For the most recent round the model picked Sergio PEREZ.62%
Perez holds track position over Bottas on the grid after out-qualifying him by over eight tenths, and his extensive experience in street-track tire conservation gives him the upper hand.
A round is only scored when both drivers appear in the predicted order and both are classified in the result: a retirement is nobody's call. Published predictions are never edited afterwards.
The rivalry
Across sixteen race weekends driving for Cadillac, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have demonstrated closely matched performance, though race results tilt significantly toward Perez. While neither driver has secured points, podiums, or race victories, their qualifying and sprint battles remain deadlocked at 8-8 and 2-2 respectively. Single-lap pace is virtually identical, reflected in Perez's average qualifying position of 20 compared to Bottas's 20.06. However, Perez holds a 5-1 advantage in head-to-head Grand Prix finishes, logging an average race result of 15.73 against Bottas's 17.00. This disparity stems largely from attrition and mechanical reliability rather than raw pace. Perez encountered five retirements, whereas Bottas endured seven DNFs, including a costly mechanical failure in Azerbaijan and an incident in wet conditions at Sepang. Both competitors have actively struggled with the car's drag and tire degradation issues, while Bottas previously questioned car material parity. Ultimately, Perez's superior race record reflects better reliability and finishing consistency across their shared campaign.
Round by round
2026 seasonCommon questions
Who is faster in qualifying, Sergio PEREZ or Valtteri BOTTAS?
Sergio PEREZ leads Valtteri BOTTAS 9–8 in qualifying head-to-head this season, counting only sessions where both drivers set a time.
Who has finished ahead more often, Sergio PEREZ or Valtteri BOTTAS?
Sergio PEREZ has finished ahead of Valtteri BOTTAS 6–1 this season, counting only races where both drivers were classified.