Cadillac has outlined Sergio Pérez’s test programme – The American manufacturer’s preparations for its Formula One debut in 2026 are beginning to take shape, with new signing Sergio Pérez confirming that he will gain initial driving experience with Cadillac before the team officially joins the grid. The Mexican driver revealed that test sessions are planned ahead of the entry, with work set to take place on both sides of the Atlantic.
The upcoming season will see Formula One enter a new era of technical regulations, with new rules for power units and chassis taking effect in January 2026. This has created an urgent need for manufacturers and teams to embark on extensive testing programmes. For Cadillac, a newcomer to the sport under the General Motors banner, such opportunities are especially valuable as they attempt to build a competitive foundation ahead of their first full campaign.
Pérez, unveiled as one of Cadillac’s drivers alongside Valtteri Bottas earlier this year, has confirmed that smaller tests will be undertaken in 2025. The 35-year-old made this announcement at a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where he performed ceremonial duties before speaking to the press about his new challenge.
Pérez’s training and testing schedule
The Mexican explained that his preparation will soon begin in earnest, with sessions planned in Charlotte, North Carolina, where General Motors has its performance base, and in England, where key technical work is also being undertaken.
“Next week I’ll be in Charlotte and England,” he confirmed. “It is important for me to do some driving this year, especially for my neck, so that my body remembers what is coming in 2026.”
He went on to elaborate on the balance between physical conditioning and simulator work. The neck is often highlighted as one of the most vulnerable areas for drivers returning to the unique loads experienced in Formula One machinery. Pérez emphasised that this would form a core part of his preparation.
“I will train in the simulator, and I am scheduled to test an F1 car,” he explained, though he did not provide specific details on when this might occur.
These sessions are highly significant for Cadillac. With limited opportunities to test a modern car under the current regulations, it is crucial to strike a balance between gaining valuable experience and adhering to Formula One’s strict testing restrictions. Pérez’s extensive knowledge of modern machinery from his time at Red Bull will be invaluable in interpreting data and providing feedback.
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Cadillac’s chassis and engine approach
In the absence of their own car, Cadillac is expected to initially rely on a two-year-old Ferrari chassis for testing purposes. Reports suggest that the Scuderia will provide the SF-23, which will give the American team a foundation on which to base both driver preparation and technical integration. This arrangement extends beyond the chassis, as Ferrari will also supply powertrains to Cadillac in the short term.
This enables the team to concentrate its resources on understanding operational demands while gradually transitioning to its own development path. General Motors, Cadillac’s parent company, has been developing power unit technology in line with the 2026 regulations, and the partnership with Ferrari provides a valuable stepping stone while the American manufacturer builds up its expertise.
Bottas unlikely to test
Questions remain over whether Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac’s other confirmed driver, will be granted similar opportunities to test the car before 2026. Currently serving as a Mercedes reserve driver following his departure from Alfa Romeo at the end of 2024, Bottas may face contractual limitations. According to rumours in the paddock reported by formel1.de, Mercedes may be unwilling to authorise him to test the Ferrari-based machine for Cadillac.
The difference in preparation between the two teammates could give Cadillac a unique dynamic. While Pérez may arrive on the grid in 2026 with the benefit of tailored testing, Bottas could be restricted to simulator work until the new car is ready. The team will need to balance fairness and competitive equality within the garage while managing the external constraints imposed by Bottas’s existing contractual obligations.
The road to 2026
For Cadillac, the coming year is as much about building infrastructure and culture as it is about testing hardware. Setting up a Formula One operation requires cohesion across multiple continents, from technical design offices in Europe to performance hubs in the United States. The team must also overcome logistical challenges, recruit personnel, and ensure compliance with Formula One’s stringent cost cap regulations.
Having two experienced drivers in Pérez and Bottas provides reassurance to Cadillac’s leadership. Both drivers have extensive experience with multiple eras of Formula One machinery, and their ability to communicate effective feedback will be crucial. Pérez, in particular, has demonstrated adaptability throughout his career, from his early days at Sauber, to podium-scoring runs with Force India, to his most recent stint with Red Bull.
However, what remains uncertain is how quickly Cadillac will be able to translate this groundwork into competitiveness on the track. The learning curve for a new entrant is steep, as Haas demonstrated when they joined the grid in 2016. Despite benefiting from a close technical partnership with Ferrari, they still faced the realities of racing against seasoned opposition. Cadillac will be attempting a similar feat under even greater scrutiny, given the weight of expectation associated with the global General Motors brand.
Pérez’s motivation
For Pérez, this challenge is both a fresh opportunity and a career gamble. After leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024, the Mexican could have pursued other options within or outside Formula One. However, by committing to Cadillac, he has chosen to become the figurehead of an ambitious but unproven project. His comments about physical preparation underline the seriousness with which he is approaching the task. He recognises that he must be in peak condition to get the best out of a car that will likely have some initial issues.
At 35 years old, Pérez also knows that opportunities at the top level will not be available indefinitely. A successful period with Cadillac could cement his legacy as a driver who is willing to take risks in order to create something new rather than remaining in the midfield with no long-term prospects. The Mexican fanbase, one of the most passionate in the sport, will also provide Cadillac with valuable commercial and cultural support as the team seeks to establish itself.
Looking ahead
As the calendar advances towards 2026, Cadillac’s early testing programme will be a key development to watch. The combination of simulator sessions, limited track outings in a Ferrari chassis and physical conditioning for Pérez will pave the way for the American manufacturer’s entry. Meanwhile, Bottas’s role remains somewhat undefined, contingent on negotiations with Mercedes and the flexibility of testing regulations.
Formula One has seen many ambitious new entrants, but few have arrived with the corporate muscle of General Motors. The jury will be intrigued to see whether Cadillac can effectively harness its resources, or whether competing against established giants will prove too great a challenge.
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