Sergio Perez has completed the first of two days of running for Cadillac’s new F1 team, driving a Ferrari SF-23 at Imola as preparations continue for the American manufacturer's entry into the championship in 2026.
The Mexican driver was behind the wheel of a blacked-out version of Ferrari's 2023 car as General Motors-backed outfit carried out an operational test designed to prepare the team for its debut.
As Cadillac does not yet possess a Formula 1 car, it has been loaned a chassis by Ferrari, which is also set to supply the fledgling operation with power units for at least its first three seasons.
The partnership allows the new team to gain valuable experience in areas such as garage operations, communication, and data management ahead of receiving its own car once the 2026 rules come into effect.
Perez, who left Red Bull at the end of 2024, has not driven an F1 car for nearly a year.
Donning an all-black race suit and helmet, the six-time grand prix winner is also using the opportunity to assess his physical condition as he returns to full-time racing.
"I think it’s great to get the running and also the timing works perfectly because it’s just before the January test," Perez told F1.com during the first day.
"On these two days, on the physical side, I want to see how much I’ve lost, where I need to work on. It will give me a very good guide for the winter, to be able to focus on that stuff."
Before travelling to Imola, Perez underwent a seat fitting at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. He is due to complete a second day of running on Friday, 14 November.
While the test allows Perez to reacclimatise to F1 machinery, Cadillac's main focus is on developing its operational structure.
The team is using the two-day session as a dress rehearsal for pre-season testing and its race debut, simulating all aspects of a grand prix weekend, including pit stop practice, data analysis, and team communication.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon previously described the exercise as a way of "testing the people" rather than the car, as the F1's 11th entry continues to build towards its first race.
"It is also a chance to start working together with the team, with the engineers, with the mechanics and start to speak the same language," added Perez. "It’s definitely a great time for us."
Cadillac has also been conducting full weekend simulations at its base, including media duties and time management drills, to ensure its staff are fully prepared for the demands of a race weekend.
The running at Imola provides the team with a crucial opportunity to put those preparations into practice in a live environment ahead of its planned debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
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