Sergio Perez Drives First Laps as Cadillac Hits Track for Historic Shakedown

Sergio Perez described himself as "emotional" after getting behind the wheel of the Cadillac F1 car for its maiden laps at Silverstone. The new 11th team completed a shakedown during a promotional filming day, running in an all-black livery just 10-and-a-half months after receiving official F1 approval.

Why it matters:

This on-track debut marks the physical realization of Cadillac's rapid expansion into Formula 1. For Perez, it signifies his official return to the grid after spending the 2025 season on the sidelines, while the organization proves it can meet the aggressive operational timeline required for a competitive entry.

The details:

• The Shakedown: The car completed initial systems checks and installation laps at the British circuit, serving as a critical validation of the team's build speed.
• Driver's Perspective: Perez, who was released by Red Bull at the end of 2024, emphasized the collective effort required to reach this milestone. He stated the team should feel proud but noted that the event has "fired him up" to accumulate more mileage.
• Team Progress: Team Principal Graeme Lowdon highlighted the event as a vital opportunity for the squad to gel in a live garage environment and resolve any initial technical issues.
• Leadership View: Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss called the rollout a "historic milestone" and praised the "absolute racers" assembled for the project, noting the work continues at pace toward the first race.

What's next:

The team now turns its attention to official pre-season testing in a few weeks, which will provide a much clearer picture of their performance potential ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.