Cadillac fined €1,700 after Perez pitlane speeding in Spanish GP FP1

Cadillac has been handed two fines totaling €1,700 after Sergio Perez was caught speeding in the pitlane during first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. The Mexican exceeded the 80km/h limit twice, with the second breach clocking 96.7km/h. The breaches were in violation of Article B1.6.3a.i of the FIA F1 regulations.

Why it matters:

These penalties add to a difficult debut season for the American outfit, which has struggled with reliability and pace. With both Perez and Valtteri Bottas yet to score a point, Cadillac is still finding its feet in Formula 1. The fines, while small, highlight the team's steep learning curve as it adjusts to new circuits and the demands of the championship.

The details:

• Perez was fined €700 for his first offence, recorded at 86.7km/h, and €1,000 for the second, at 96.7km/h.
• The session marked the first time drivers lapped the new Madring circuit, a semi-street track built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre and the Valdebebas district.
• The layout mixes tight sections with high-speed straights and includes the banked "La Monumental" curve.
• Perez ended FP1 21st, ahead of only team-mate Bottas.
• The 36-year-old said the track reminds him of Jeddah, calling it "a proper race track" after studying it in the simulator.

What's next:

Cadillac will aim to put the fines behind them as they continue adapting to the demanding Madring layout. With limited data and reliability concerns, the priority for the rest of the weekend is gaining mileage and understanding the new venue.