Perez Confident Cadillac Will 'Do Great Things' Upon 2026 F1 Debut

Sergio Perez is bullish on Cadillac's Formula 1 future, declaring the American outfit is "here to do great things" ahead of their 2026 debut. Despite the challenges of being a startup team amidst a massive regulation overhaul, the Mexican driver believes the squad will progress "extremely quickly" as he partners with Valtteri Bottas.

Why it matters:

Cadillac's entry as the 11th team marks a significant expansion for F1, but the 2026 regulations pose a steep learning curve for newcomers. Perez's confidence, backed by his recent testing performance, suggests the team aims to be competitive immediately rather than just making up the numbers, leveraging Ferrari power units until their own engine is ready.

The details:

• Driver Lineup: Perez and Bottas bring over 26 seasons of combined experience to the grid, providing the technical feedback and leadership needed to build a team from scratch.
• Power Unit Strategy: The team will utilize Ferrari engines for their debut season in 2026 while simultaneously developing their own power unit, with the goal of becoming a full works team by 2029.
• Early Testing: Perez recently impressed during a TPC test at Imola, driving a black Ferrari SF-23. Reports indicate he set fast lap times and racked up valuable miles, signaling he is ready to return after missing the 2025 season.
• Debut Timeline: Cadillac will hit the track for winter testing in Barcelona with a special livery before their official race debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March.

What's next:

The official livery reveal is set for the Super Bowl halftime show, generating significant hype for the American brand. All eyes will be on Barcelona to see if Perez's confidence translates into genuine pace against established midfield contenders.