Cadillac may only be officially joining the Formula 1 grid in 2026, but the American outfit has no intention of waiting until then to put rubber on the road.
The General Motors-backed squad is planning to partner with an existing team this year to conduct private running – a move aimed at bedding in its brand-new operations before its first car breaks cover.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed that Cadillac will use an older-generation car, run with the support of another squad – possibly Ferrari, its engine supplier, to give its newly assembled crews valuable experience ahead of their competitive debut.
With the 2026 campaign coinciding with sweeping regulation changes, every day of preparation is viewed as crucial for the sport’s 11th team.
The plan would also help drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas re-acclimatize, particularly Perez, who has been out of F1 machinery since his abrupt exit from Red Bull at the end of 2024.
Lowdon: Partner testing key to fast-track readiness
“We'll be introducing car testing as well this year,” revealed Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon on Tuesday.
“Obviously, we have to work with others to be able to do that, but that’s perfectly allowable under the regulations. “We don't have a TPC car or a car we can operate [on our own].”
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The tests, set to take place in the latter half of 2025, will mark the first time Cadillac’s crews work together trackside before the official pre-season sessions in Barcelona in early 2026.
For a start-up operation, this early exposure is seen as vital in building cohesion before the pressure of a race weekend.
Perez eager to shake off the rust
For Sergio Perez, the additional running represents more than just team integration. After a year away from F1 machinery, the Mexican is eager to sharpen his edge.
“Obviously I haven't driven anything for a while other than karting with my son,” Perez admitted.
“But there are some plans with the team to test a Formula 1 car before the end of the year. And obviously next year with so much testing that we're gonna have, it's gonna make that last [rust] go away extremely quickly.”
Perez stressed that he intends to immerse himself in Cadillac’s preparations well before the first official pre-season outing.
“I will be definitely in contact with the team very regularly and visiting them,” he said.
“Also looking forward to seeing if we can do some driving as well this year before the end of the year, just to get myself up to speed again because I want to be as ready as possible for when the winter testing starts.”
With Bottas maintaining sharpness through his reserve role at Mercedes and Perez set to re-acquaint himself with F1 machinery in 2025, Cadillac’s early groundwork suggests the U.S. newcomer is determined to make its presence felt from day one of its F1 journey.
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