A familiar venue
Just days after the bitter disappointment of the Monaco Grand Prix, where Sergio Perez saw a potential points finish slip away and become a 15th-place result due to a penalty, Cadillac will be eager to move on at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Unlike many of the circuits on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, Barcelona does not represent completely new territory for the American newcomer. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was the venue chosen by Cadillac for its pre-season testing programme at the end of January, allowing both drivers to gain valuable experience with the team before the start of the championship.
A team determined to keep improving
Perez will be aiming to reproduce the strong pace he displayed in Monaco, while making sure that the mistakes which led to two costly time penalties in the Principality are not repeated.
“The whole team arrives in Barcelona extremely motivated,” the Mexican explained. “We can be very proud of our race in Monaco because we never gave up. Scoring points in only our sixth race would have been fantastic, but this is an experience that will shape the team in a very positive way.
“This team has a lot of character, and that is what I like most about it. Barcelona will be very different and, in some ways, much more predictable. The objective has to be to put together a clean weekend, race reliably, and continue on this path of growth. There is a lot of confidence within the team right now, and we need to keep that spark alive.”
Valtteri Bottas, who claimed pole position at Barcelona with Mercedes back in 2019, shares his teammate’s optimism. The Finnish driver is hoping for a stronger outcome after technical issues forced him to retire from the Monaco Grand Prix.
“We have a great opportunity to get straight back into the car and push forward as a team this weekend in Barcelona, with the goal of solving the issues I encountered in the last race,” said Bottas.
“I’m curious to see how much progress we have made together since the Barcelona shakedown, which was the first time I drove the MAC-26. I hope we can start strongly and find a good rhythm throughout the sessions. I’ve enjoyed positive results at this circuit during my career, so let’s see what this weekend has in store for us.”
A new face for FP1
Cadillac will also field a different driver during the opening practice session, with former IndyCar star Colton Herta taking over Perez’s car for FP1. The American, who serves as Cadillac’s reserve driver, will have a particularly busy weekend as he is also scheduled to compete in Formula 2.
“I’m really excited about Barcelona,” Herta said. “I feel ready to get out on track. I’ve spent time working in the simulator in Charlotte, learning the circuit and understanding all the procedures I’ll need to follow during the session.
“I’ve also worked closely with the team in Silverstone and at recent race weekends, studying how they operate so I can reach the required level as quickly as possible. The goal is to complete a clean session, help the team gather valuable data, and become more familiar with a Formula 1 car.
“It’s going to be a busy weekend because I’ll also be racing in Formula 2, but pressure is a privilege, and I can’t wait to get started.”
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