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Sergio Perez Returns to F1 with the Perfect Winning Attitude
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Highlights
- Sergio Perez tested Cadillac’s 2023 Ferrari car at Imola
- Perez completed 183 laps across two days during the test
- Cadillac prepares for 2026 F1 debut with experienced driver duo
- Valtteri Bottas joins Cadillac after 2025 season, currently Mercedes reserve
- Test helped Perez reacquaint with F1 physical and race demands
- Team used test to practice race operations and pit stop procedures
Cadillac’s 2026 Formula 1 entry gathers momentum as Sergio Perez returns to testing at Imola, with team boss Graeme Lowdon praising his attitude and readiness for the programme.
Perez completes 183 laps over two days in a 2023 Ferrari SF-23, using the run to rebuild conditioning and help Cadillac rehearse race operations and pit stop procedures.
Perez covered 183 laps at Imola across two days, maximising mileage in the SF-23.
Ferrari loans the car to its 2026 power unit customer, allowing Cadillac’s engineers and mechanics to practice systems and workflows ahead of the new regulations.
Lowdon highlights the physical challenge, especially neck loads, and says Perez copes well despite nearly a year away since the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale.
The programme focuses on operational detail: tyre blanket procedures, launch practice, and simulated red flag interruptions during qualifying-style runs.
Cadillac drilled tyre blankets, race starts, and quick red-flag resets under realistic conditions.
Perez logs 90 laps on day one and 93 on day two, building rhythm while integrating with the crew that will support him in races.
Lowdon values a blended workforce, noting staff with experience across different power units and systems, which sharpens troubleshooting and preparation.
Valtteri Bottas is set to join after the 2025 season, currently serving as Mercedes’ reserve, with Mercedes cooperating on his transition.
Bottas joins after 2025 while serving as Mercedes reserve, bringing additional experience to Cadillac.
Between Perez and Bottas, the lineup boasts 16 Grand Prix wins and 106 podiums, giving Cadillac proven racecraft as it tackles an expansion season.
That experience reduces early risk, while these live drills address operational weaknesses that new entrants often discover only at race weekends.
Cadillac targets a robust launch by combining thorough preparation, cross-functional staffing, and experienced drivers under the 2026 framework.
The Imola test suggests a deliberate, process-led approach, with further running likely as the team builds towards its first competitive mileage.
Expect scrutiny as milestones accumulate in the coming months, from driver integration to race operations and correlation work.
Visual Summary
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
