Cadillac is getting ready: "Everything is in place," according to Sergio Pérez

Ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, which he attended despite not being on track, Sergio Pérez spoke about the progress of his future Cadillac team. The American team, which will make its debut in Formula 1 in 2026, will welcome two veterans of the category into its ranks, with the Finn Valtteri Bottas in addition to the Mexican. It's great to have Valtteri Bottas, he has a lot of experience. rejoices the former pilot Red BullI'm looking forward to working with him. Between the two of us, we've been through all the teams in the grid, we know different approaches. »

Starting from scratch as regulations change in 2026, effectively reshuffling the deck, the American team faces an immense workload. Graeme Lowdon's team principal has therefore begun extensive preparations to arrive at the January pre-season tests (January 28-30 in Barcelona) – earlier than usual due to the regulation change – fully operational. We've been working a lot behind the scenes, a lot simulators, meetings with engineers, more or less every week " explains Sergio Pérez.

Sergio Pérez will be back on track for the first time in mid-November. 

In mid-November, Sergio Pérez will be back behind the wheel of a car F1 for the first time since the Abu Dhabi finale in 2024. After eleven months of rest, the Guadalajara (Mexico) native will drive on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola in a Ferrari SF-23 loaned by the Team Ferrari to its future rival. These two days of testing will allow the team led by Graeme Lowdon to serve as the final rehearsal before testing their own car in January 2026. We have a test scheduled in three weeks at Imola for two days, it will do me good to get back in a Formula 1 car, he admits. Then I would have to wait until January to get back behind the wheel"

While the regulation changes will undoubtedly benefit Cadillac, fostering more balanced competition with the other teams, the new Formula 1 team cannot rely on its past experience, unlike its future rivals. In fact, the Charlotte-based team is likely to be initially less competitive than the other ten teams on the grid. I don't think we'll be at the forefront right away, at least not at the beginning. However, we're doing everything we can to progress quickly. Sergio Pérez reassured. The competitive spirit is deeply ingrained within the team, especially in Dan Towriss. He's eager for results. We're not a new team looking for funding. Everything is in place; we just need to bring all the pieces together. »

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Red Bull's experience at the service of Cadillac

Teammate of Max Verstappen From 2021 to 2024, Sergio Pérez faced the formidable Dutchman in the notoriously difficult second seat of the Austrian team. From this experience, he gained valuable lessons that Cadillac will certainly draw upon. I learned a lot during my time at Red Bull and I had some great successes, if you don't count the last three months of 2024. the Mexican jokes. I have learned a lot and I look forward to putting that knowledge to good use at Cadillac and showing that we can be competitive. »

A worthy representative of his native country, Sergio Pérez is delighted to be racing again in front of his compatriots. I wasn't able to say goodbye to the fans in Mexico. I'm happy to know that I'll be able to enjoy a few more Mexican Grands Prix with them. "Pérez appreciates," while the contract for the Mexican GP has been extended until 2028. 

While Cadillac's progress remains difficult to assess at this stage, these initial tests represent a significant step for the American team ahead of its arrival in 2026. They will be conducted at the wheel of an SF-23, Ferrari's 2023 car, supplied by the Maranello-based team, which will also provide the Cadillacs with power units and gearboxes. Sergio Pérez, in any case, seems fully motivated to return to Formula 1 alongside Valtteri Bottas.

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