Sergio Perez outlines Cadillac's critical 2026 development challenge

Sergio Perez has identified the ability to out-develop rival teams as the "massive challenge" facing the new Cadillac F1 squad in its debut 2026 season. The veteran driver emphasized that building strong foundations for rapid car upgrades will be crucial for the team, which appears to be near the back of the grid after pre-season testing.

Why it matters:

For a brand-new constructor entering the highly competitive and technically complex world of Formula 1, the development race is often more critical than the starting point. Perez's focus on in-season progress highlights a pragmatic, long-term strategy for Cadillac, acknowledging that immediate results may be secondary to establishing a pipeline for continuous improvement and future competitiveness.

The details:

• Initial Position: After pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain, the yet-to-be-named Cadillac team is reportedly in 10th place in the early pecking order, ahead only of the troubled Aston Martin team.
• Testing Reliability: The team completed a solid 745 laps (3,908 km) across testing, though it faced some initial "teething troubles" with sensor issues.
• Car Assessment: Perez described the initial car balance as good, stating the primary performance need is to find more downforce.
• The Core Challenge: Perez pinpointed the integration of a large, new team and its various departments as a time-consuming process. The key to climbing the order will be developing the car at a faster rate than the established teams ahead of them.

What's next:

The team's immediate goal is to use the first half of the 2026 season to solidify its operational foundations. Success will be measured not by early race results, but by how quickly and effectively the team can bring performance upgrades to the car. If Cadillac can master the development cycle, it could see a significant climb up the grid before the season's end, setting a positive trajectory for future campaigns.