Perez to Test Ferrari Ahead of Cadillac F1 Return

Sergio Perez is set to return to the F1 cockpit later this year, confirming November test sessions in a 2023 Ferrari as part of the Testing Previous Car (TPC) program. This move is a crucial step in his preparation for Cadillac’s maiden Formula 1 campaign in 2026, where he will partner Valtteri Bottas.

Why it matters:

After a season out of F1, Perez’s early testing with Ferrari, Cadillac’s power unit supplier, is vital for both the driver and the new American team. It allows Perez to regain crucial on-track fitness and familiarity with F1 machinery, while simultaneously providing Cadillac with an opportunity to integrate its personnel and refine operational procedures before their official debut. This proactive approach underscores Cadillac’s commitment to hitting the ground running in 2026.

The Details:

• Return to the Cockpit: Sergio Perez, who last raced at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will conduct two days of testing at Imola in a 2023 Ferrari car.
• TPC Program: The test falls under the 'Testing Previous Car' (TPC) program, which allows teams to run cars from previous seasons. For Cadillac, as a new entry without its own historic machinery, this means utilizing a customer team’s car – in this case, Ferrari’s.
• Physical and Team Preparation: Perez emphasized the importance of these sessions for his physical conditioning, highlighting that specific F1 muscle groups require direct car time. He stated, “It doesn’t matter how often I train, I need time and miles in the car.”
  • Beyond driver preparation, these tests are crucial for Cadillac’s team integration. Perez noted they would “work with the mechanics and engineers to get the whole team ready for the testing program that starts in January.”
• Cadillac’s Objective: Team Principal Graeme Lowdon clarified that while TPC sessions get drivers track time, Cadillac’s primary goal is to test its 'people' and operational readiness. “What we want to test is the people,” Lowdon told Speedcafe, indicating a focus on integrating engineers and mechanics to operate as a cohesive F1 unit.
• Partnership with Ferrari: Cadillac will enter F1 as a Ferrari customer team, making these early tests in Ferrari hardware a logical and strategic move to build familiarity with their future power unit supplier’s technology and processes.

What's next:

The November test sessions represent a critical early phase for both Sergio Perez and the Cadillac F1 project. Successfully integrating Perez back into an F1 environment and allowing Cadillac to test its nascent operational structure will be key indicators of their readiness for the intensive 2026 season. These initial runs will lay the groundwork for a more extensive testing program expected to commence in January, as Cadillac aims to be 100% ready from the outset of their debut year.