Were the pre-dreadnoughts Germany's greatest obstacle to a fast retreat?

Were the pre-dreadnoughts Germany's greatest obstacle to a fast retreat?

Damaged dreadnoughts could be just as slow or slower. Sacrificing the pre-dreadnoughts would buy little time against the Grand Fleet.

The older battleships' limited speed becomes less distinctive if modern ships suffer serious damage. A crippled dreadnought could move as slowly as a pre-dreadnought or fall further behind. Sending the older squadron against the Grand Fleet is one possible delaying measure, but it is not expected to hold the British for long.