Cadillac to Test 2023 Ferrari F1 Car with Sergio Perez at Imola

Cadillac is set to conduct a crucial test at Imola next month, utilizing a 2023 Ferrari Formula 1 car with Sergio Perez behind the wheel. This move marks a significant step in the General Motors works team's intensified preparations for its 2026 F1 debut, where it will run Ferrari customer engines and feature Perez and Valtteri Bottas as drivers.

Why it matters:

Cadillac's entry into F1 represents a major commitment from an American automotive giant. This test isn't about raw performance, but about building the foundational operational experience and team cohesion essential for a successful F1 debut. It underscores the practical challenges new teams face beyond just car design and manufacturing, focusing on the human and logistical elements of race weekend execution.

The details:

• Partnership with Ferrari: Cadillac's collaboration with Ferrari allows them access to two-year-old F1 machinery for testing. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur confirmed that Ferrari provided two of their allowed test days to Cadillac.
• Test Purpose: The primary goal of the two-day Imola test is not performance tuning but rather operational readiness. It focuses on establishing internal practices, refining communication (both verbal and physical) within the garage and over the radio, and building race team experience.
• Driver Benefits: For Sergio Perez, this test offers his first opportunity back in an F1 car since his last race with Red Bull in December, keeping him sharp ahead of the 2026 season.
• Team Development: Cadillac's crew, composed of experienced personnel from various F1 teams, will gain valuable hands-on experience with tasks such as refueling, operating tire warmers, working on the car, and bleeding hydraulics. This helps them forge a distinct 'Cadillac' operational style.
• Logistical Focus: As Vasseur noted, the test addresses the complexities of logistics, garage setup, infrastructure, and IT systems, which are often overlooked but critical aspects of an F1 operation.

The big picture:

Cadillac has largely relied on simulations to prepare for its F1 entry, running virtual race weekends, including full race distances and even analyzing how driver media appearances affect debrief timings. This real-world test is a vital step in bridging the gap between simulation and on-track reality. The team is also set to conduct its first full sprint weekend simulation during November's Brazilian Grand Prix.

What's next:

Cadillac is assembling its operations from multiple locations, including a primary base at Silverstone, wind tunnel testing at Toyota's Cologne site, a new TWG facility in Indiana, and various Cadillac/GM technology centers. A dedicated GM Performance Power Units headquarters in North Carolina will handle the design, testing, and building of their future works engine. If these preparatory steps prove effective, Cadillac could be a formidable contender when it finally hits the grid in 2026.