History was made on Friday at Silverstone. For the very first time, Cadillac F1 ran its Formula 1 car, marking a foundational step before its official entry into the championship in 2026. Powered by a Ferrari engine compliant with the new regulations, the car carried out a discreet but highly symbolic shakedown on the British circuit.
Cadillac: A highly anticipated first test drive… and one that was very tightly controlled.
Behind the wheel of the Cadillac: Sergio Pérez, returning to the grid after a 2025 season spent out of competition. A significant moment, both for the Mexican driver and for the new team supported by General Motors.
Organized within the strict framework of the promotional filming days authorized by the FIA (limited to 200 km), this first test drive was primarily aimed at validating the fundamentals: engine, gearbox, electronic systems and initial operating data.
Present at Silverstone, Valtteri Bottas, Pérez's future teammate watched from the pit lane, while the general manager Dan Towriss and the team owner Graeme Lowdon were present at this key moment.
Despite technical issues early in the day and a wet track, the Cadillac was finally able to take to the track in the afternoon. Images quickly leaked on social media, prompting the team to release its own short official video showing the car speeding down the pit straight.
First driver to drive a Cadillac in F1, Sergio Pérez did not hide his emotion:
“Today was a truly incredible day. Everyone can be incredibly proud to have completed our first team laps. It was moving to be part of such a historic moment in motorsport.”
Motivated by this return to the track, the Mexican is already looking ahead:
« We need to make the most of this, but above all, move forward. I want to get back to competing, to rack up the miles. This is just the beginning.
For Graeme LowdonThis shakedown is the culmination of several years of intensive work, carried out on both sides of the Atlantic:
« It was truly very moving. All those sleepless nights, in Silverstone, Indianapolis, Charlotte, with our colleagues from General Motors and TWG… Finally seeing the car running is the embodiment of all this work. »
The Briton acknowledges an imperfect but productive day:
« During a first test run, there are always unknowns. The most important thing is that we achieved our objectives: to get some track time, collect data, and get on track for Melbourne.
The single-seater seen at Silverstone sported a provisional livery, dominated by exposed carbon fiber, with the Cadillac logo extending across the rear of the chassis. The names of the team's founding members are also inscribed on the car.
The final livery, the one that will be used for the 2026 season, will be revealed at a highly publicized event: the Super Bowl, on February 8.
Cadillac thus becomes the second new team to run its 2026 F1 car, after Audi In Barcelona. Next stop:
- Private tests in Barcelona (January 26–30)
- Two official sessions in Bahrain (February 11–13 and February 18–20)
The season will then begin in Melbourne, with the Australian Grand Prix scheduled for March 6-8, 2026.
Eleventh team on the grid and first newcomer since Haas brand in 2016 Cadillac F1 is preparing to take on one of the biggest challenges in modern motorsport. While uncertainties remain, one thing is certain: at Silverstone, the Formula 1 has officially welcomed a new chapter in its history.
The first lap of something bigger. pic.twitter.com/QCOcF7RoGt
— Cadillac Formula 1 Team (@Cadillac_F1) January 16, 2026
