Sergio Perez spoke at the end of the second day of running during the Barcelona F1 tests, sharing his first impressions of Cadillac’s new car as well as some of the issues encountered on track. The Mexican driver, returning to the paddock after leaving Red Bull last year, was visibly excited to be back in Formula 1 and taking part in the debut of Cadillac as the 11th team on the grid.
A new beginning for Perez and Cadillac
After a year away from racing, Sergio Perez has joined Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas. Speaking to the official F1 television network, Perez admitted that he was thrilled to return to the paddock, saying, “I’m happy to be back.”
He also discussed the team’s priorities during these early Barcelona tests: “I think we’re improving with almost every lap. So yes, it’s been a positive day.” Perez elaborated that the focus has been on exploring the car, testing different setups, and determining the directions the team wants to pursue: “Obviously, we’re starting to understand the car, the adjustments, the directions we want to take. So yes, I think it’s a good start.”
With the 2026 regulation changes, drivers like Perez are facing the challenge of learning to handle cars that are completely different from previous generations. The FIA has allowed teams extra pre-season testing sessions specifically to adapt to this major technical revolution.
Early challenges on the track
While Perez was pleased with the progress on track, he did not hide that the first two days also highlighted several problems. “More than surprises, there were problems. Issues appeared in several areas: with the power unit, with the car itself, and some electrical problems,” he explained. “However, it’s positive that these things are happening here, because it gives us a lot of work to do moving forward, especially considering that this is a new team.”
Overall, the Mexican driver conveyed a sense of optimism about Cadillac’s progress despite the initial difficulties, emphasizing that addressing these early challenges is an essential part of building a competitive car for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Sergio Perez’s honest appraisal of Cadillac’s first laps in Barcelona highlights the monumental challenge facing F1’s newest entry as they navigate the complex 2026 technical regulations. While “problems everywhere” might sound alarming, the veteran Mexican’s calm demeanor suggests that these teething issues are an expected part of the development process for a team starting from scratch. By identifying these power unit and electrical flaws early in the shakedown, Cadillac now has a clear list of priorities to address before the official tests in Bahrain. This transparency and steady progress lap-by-lap indicate that despite the early hurdles, the foundation is being laid for Perez and Bottas to lead Cadillac into a competitive debut season.
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