Red Bull Junior Crashes Out of Macau Win, Perez Shines in Cadillac Test

British F4 champion Fionn McLaughlin's bid for a Macau Grand Prix qualifying race victory ended dramatically with a final-lap crash, while Sergio Perez impressed during a private Cadillac test at Imola, marking a positive return to F1 machinery.

Why it matters:

Fionn McLaughlin's incident highlights the intense pressure and fine margins in junior single-seater racing, where a single mistake can cost a significant win and impact a young driver's trajectory within the Red Bull Junior Team. For Sergio Perez, his strong performance in the Cadillac test signals a promising start for the new F1 entrant and confirms his enduring talent after leaving Red Bull, potentially positioning him as a key figure in Cadillac's 2026 debut.

The details:

• McLaughlin's Macau Misfortune: Fionn McLaughlin, despite mechanical issues early in the weekend, qualified sixth and made a rapid start in the qualifying race, rising to second place. He was actively pressuring leader Emanuele Olivieri on the final lap when a small error sent his car into the barriers, forcing his retirement.
• Born on October 29, 2007, in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, McLaughlin won the British F4 title in his debut single-seater season and is a part of the Red Bull Junior Programme.
• Perez's Imola Test with Cadillac: Sergio Perez completed his first Formula 1 outing since his departure from Red Bull during a private Cadillac test at Imola.
• He utilized an all-black Ferrari SF-23, as Cadillac's own test car is not yet ready for TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) regulations.
• Perez completed 93 laps on Thursday and an additional 91 laps on Friday, showcasing impressive pace.
• Cadillac-Ferrari Partnership: The test leveraged Cadillac's partnership with Ferrari, which will supply power units ahead of General Motors' official entry as an F1 engine manufacturer in 2026.
• The test, overseen by Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon and team manager Peter Crolla, reportedly ran without major issues and included pit-stop practice.
• Lowdon remarked that Perez "wasn't even pushing," indicating the primary goal of the test was to train mechanics and refine procedures, rather than pure performance.

What's next:

McLaughlin will likely regroup and analyze the Macau incident as he continues his progression within the Red Bull Junior Team, aiming to translate his raw speed into consistent, clean performances. For Perez and Cadillac, this successful test is a crucial early step, with further development and testing expected as they build towards their ambitious 2026 F1 entry. The integration of Ferrari's power unit technology will be key to their readiness to compete on the global stage.