Cadillac completes maiden F1 shakedown at Silverstone

Cadillac officially joined the on-track Formula 1 grid with a secretive shakedown at Silverstone. Sergio Perez drove the Ferrari-powered 2026 challenger on a wet Friday, marking the American marque's transition from a project to a physical reality.

Why it matters:

This represents a massive milestone for the 11th team set to join the grid in 2026. Moving from design to track action validates Cadillac's entry and intensifies the brewing rivalry with fellow newcomers Audi and existing manufacturers like Ford.

The details:

• Driver Lineup: Sergio Perez completed the installation laps, joined by Valtteri Bottas and reserve driver Zhou Guanyu.
• Secrecy Measures: The team enforced a strict lockdown, covering phone cameras with stickers to prevent leaks, though some images still surfaced online.
• Technical Checks: The session focused on systems verification rather than performance. The car ran under filming day regulations, limited to 200km/h on demonstration tires.
• Sound of Power: A brief video clip confirmed the presence of the Ferrari power unit, providing the first auditory glimpse of the partnership.

What's next:

The full public reveal is scheduled for next month via a Super Bowl commercial, just ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain. While the shakedown faced minor delays due to weather and technical niggles, the team now shifts focus to mileage and performance data.