Cadillac hits track for maiden F1 shakedown with Ferrari power

Cadillac has officially turned a wheel in Formula 1, completing a promotional shakedown at Barcelona. Sergio Perez led the running alongside Valtteri Bottas and reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, marking the debut of the team's Ferrari-powered challenger in an all-black livery.

Why it matters:

This represents a historic milestone for the General Motors-backed entry, which joins the grid as the 11th team—the first new constructor since Haas in 2016. Furthermore, these early laps provided the first real-world data on Ferrari's 2026 power unit, offering a crucial early indicator of the competitive order under the new regulations.

The details:

• Track Debut: The session served as a filming day and basic shakedown to verify car systems. Perez described the experience as emotional, noting the team's hard work to reach this moment.
• Ferrari Power: The car featured the first public track appearance of Ferrari's 2026 power unit. This partnership is central to Cadillac's technical strategy as they aim to be competitive immediately.
• Live Garage Action: Team principal Graeme Lowdon highlighted the value of operating in a live garage environment, allowing the crew to gel and resolve initial teething issues before the pressure of official testing.
• Official Reveal: While the car ran in a stealth black livery, fans will see the full colors during a Super Bowl advert on February 8. CEO Dan Towriss called the rollout a culmination of "thousands of hours of work."

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the official pre-season test at Barcelona on January 26. Cadillac will aim to maximize mileage there to ensure reliability before the season opener in Melbourne.