Ten-time grand prix winner Valtteri Bottas will make a rare and crowd-pleasing appearance behind the wheel of an iconic Ferrari Formula 1 car at the 2026 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival, driving the legendary Ferrari 156/85 on Sunday, March 1.
The appearance marks the first time Bottas has driven a Ferrari Formula 1 car, a milestone moment that comes just one week before he returns to the Formula 1 grid with the debut of the Ferrari-powered Cadillac Formula 1 Team at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Returning as an ambassador for the event, Bottas will pilot the #27 Ferrari 156/85, a car steeped in Adelaide motorsport history. The 1985 Formula 1 season was the first to feature the Australian Grand Prix on Adelaide’s streets, and the 156/85 remains one of the era’s most recognisable machines. In period, the #27 car was raced by fellow Formula 1 winner Michele Alboreto, while its sister car, the #28, was driven by Stefan Johansson.
Adding to the nostalgia, Stefan Johansson will also take part in the same demonstration session, driving his own #28 Ferrari 156/85. The pair will run together during the Sunday 1:45pm demonstration, offering fans a rare chance to see two historic Ferrari Formula 1 cars on track at the same time.
For Bottas, the drive carries extra significance. Despite racing against Scuderia Ferrari throughout his Formula 1 career, this will be the first time the Finnish driver has ever driven a Ferrari F1 car. It also neatly bridges his past and future, linking the history of Formula 1 in Adelaide with his upcoming return to the world championship grid in 2026.
Bottas’ Sunday schedule won’t stop there. Earlier in the day, at 11:30am, he will also climb into a V8-powered Holden HQ Monaro for an expression demonstration run, showcasing a very different side of motorsport and adding a distinctly Australian flavour to the program.
Off track, fans will have the chance to meet Bottas in person at the Adelaide Marriott Grand Marquee, where festival-goers can see, hear from and interact with some of the biggest names in motorsport across the weekend.
The 2026 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival will once again deliver a packed, non-stop program, featuring categories ranging from Formula 1 cars and V8 Supercars to sportscars, touring cars, motorbikes, drift cars and more. With no breaks in on-track action, the festival combines high-octane demonstrations with a relaxed picnic-in-the-park atmosphere, complete with car displays, kids’ zones, bars, food trucks, exhibitors, traders and interactive activations.
Tickets to the 2026 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival are on sale now, with the event set to take over Adelaide on Sunday, March 1.
More information and tickets are available at AdelaideMotorsportFestival.com.au.
