Sergio Perez Tests Ferrari SF-23 in Imola as Cadillac Builds Toward 2026 F1 Season

Sergio Perez, the 35-year-old Mexican driver and six-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, has returned to the track after nearly a year away, piloting a loaned Ferrari SF-23 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola as part of Cadillac's intensive preparations for its 2026 F1 debut as the series' 11th team. The two-day testing program, conducted under F1's Testing of Previous Car (TPC) regulations, marked Cadillac's first real-world trackside operation, blending simulation-honed strategies with hands-on execution.

Perez, who mutually parted ways with Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season despite a contract extension, wore an all-black race suit and helmet in the carbon-fiber-liveried SF-23, focusing on reacclimatizing to high-speed machinery while evaluating his physical readiness for a full-time comeback alongside teammate Valtteri Bottas.

The test, spanning November 13-14, 2025, saw Perez complete 99 laps with minimal incidents, including a brief gravel excursion at the notorious Tamburello corner, under the watchful eyes of Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon and operations manager Peter Crolla. His fastest lap time of 1:18.82 was respectable but secondary to the session's core objectives: drilling team mechanics on pit stop procedures, data analysis, and communication protocols to simulate an entire Grand Prix weekend.

Lowdon emphasized to Motorsport.com that the outing prioritized "testing the people" over outright performance, with around 20 Cadillac staff supported by 30 Ferrari personnel in pit boxes 16 and 17, fostering muscle memory for handling an F1 car's heat, size, and operational demands in a live environment.

Cadillac's entry into F1, backed by General Motors, leverages a strategic partnership with Ferrari for power units through at least the first three seasons, including this chassis loan to bridge the gap until the team's bespoke 2026 car debuts under new regulations emphasizing sustainable fuels and enhanced safety.

Prior to Imola, Perez underwent a seat fitting at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters and extensive simulator work at Cadillac's facilities in North Carolina and Silverstone, integrating seamlessly into the team's development workflow. Bottas, still contracted as Mercedes' reserve driver through 2025, was absent, but the Finn's eventual involvement will complete a lineup blending Perez's proven racecraft—281 starts and multiple podiums—with Bottas' endurance racing pedigree.

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This milestone underscores Cadillac's rapid ramp-up from announcement to grid readiness, transforming virtual rehearsals into tangible progress amid a crowded midfield landscape. For Perez, the session not only rebuilds competitive sharpness after a sabbatical marked by family time and reflection but also validates his value to a newcomer seeking instant credibility.

As F1 eyes expansion and diversification, Cadillac's methodical approach—echoing successful integrations like Haas-Ferrari—positions it for a competitive maiden campaign starting at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

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