Cadillac's F1 shakedown hits bumps, but Perez sees value in early troubles

Cadillac’s first Formula 1 test has been less about surprising speed and more about solving problems, with driver Sergio Perez stating the team encountered numerous issues but is glad they are happening now. The new American outfit, powered by Ferrari, completed its initial three-day shakedown in Barcelona, focusing on debugging its complex new car and operations ahead of its debut season.

Why it matters:

The entry of an 11th team, especially a major automotive brand like Cadillac, represents a significant expansion for F1. However, their journey highlights the immense challenge of starting from scratch in the sport's hyper-competitive and technically complex environment. Successfully navigating this initial debugging phase is critical for establishing a foundation to build upon, rather than arriving at the first race fundamentally unprepared.

The details:

• The team completed limited mileage during the closed test, with Perez logging 66 laps on his main day—a full Spanish GP race distance—while rival Mercedes completed over 160 laps on the same day.
• Perez was candid about the challenges, stating the team faced "problems on all kinds of fronts – with the engine, with the car, with a few electronic issues."
• Team Principal Graeme Lowdon framed the test as a essential "debugging" exercise, prioritizing identifying and solving problems over pure lap count.
• The learning curve is steeper for Cadillac than for established teams adapting to new regulations, as they are simultaneously learning a new car, a new power unit (Ferrari), and the intricacies of a completely new F1 operation.

What's next:

The team will now shift focus to the official pre-season tests in Bahrain, where the pressure and scrutiny will intensify. The data and solutions from Barcelona will be vital. The goal is to transition from a debugging phase to a performance-evaluation phase, ensuring the car is reliable enough to provide meaningful data and begin the steep development climb required to compete in Formula 1.