Overview
- Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez completed his first on-track test with Cadillac on November 13 at Imola, marking his return to F1 machinery.
- Team principal Graeme Lowdon said Pérez “did not push” during the outing, which was designed for driver reacclimation and race-operations practice.
- Cadillac kept official lap data confidential as varying leaked times circulated, and the use of a 2023-spec SF-23 limits any direct comparison to recent race benchmarks.
- Motorsport and Reuters reported internal confidence that the team has a fit, ready driver, with a shift in outlook that no longer rules out podium possibilities in 2026.
- External voices remain skeptical, with Argentine journalist Adrian Puente predicting Cadillac could start from the back row at the 2026 opener in Australia.