CADILLAC OPERATES REAL F1 CAR IN A PRIVATE TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME
The 11th team run their first ever TPC (Testing of Previous Car) with a black-liveried Ferrari SF-23. Sergio Pérez was at the wheel, but they just needed to train the mechanics.
Cadillac covered 903 km across two days of TPC testing in Imola. The purpose of the test was just to train the mechanics, who have experience in F1 but never worked with each other. Pérez was at the wheel of the SF-23 and, even if not needed, pushed really hard.
Since the American team doesn’t have an old car, they asked their engine supplier Ferrari to borrow their 2023 machine. The Scuderia tested the SF-23 at Fiorano on Tuesday with Arthur Leclerc to ensure it was properly running, before handing the car to Cadillac.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon came to overview the operations, together with team manager Peter Crolla (who had the same role at Haas) and Chief Legal Officer Caroline McGrory (who had a long stint at Brackley with BAR, Brawn GP and Mercedes).
Ferrari helped Cadillac training their mechanics
Ferrari sent around 30 members to help just as many Cadillac’s people. Alessandro Fusaro, Charles Leclerc’s chief mechanic, was allegedly leading the operations.
Graeme Lowdon and Peter Crolla flew back home Thursday night. Therefore, Xavi Marcos oversaw the operations for the last day. The Spaniard was Charles Leclerc’s race engineer at Ferrari, but left the team to join Cadillac in WEC. Now he appears to be Cadillac’s chief engineer in F1.
The mood was joyful. At the end of day one, with the mechanics standing around the car, some Ferrari mechanics started singing Italy’s national anthem, before quickly cutting to an applause.
Although working together in the pit lane, Cadillac and Ferrari’s people preferred to stay with their teammates during the breaks.
It’s not known what program the mechanics have done, but Lowdon said the team is “on target” towards their 2026 debut.
Pérez was eager to drive
Thursday morning, at 9:11, Pérez went out onto the track for the first time since his last race in F1 with Red Bull in December 2024. The Mexican driver completed the installation lap with hard tires and cold surface, a condition he faced for the majority of his running.
His next teammate Valtteri Bottas couldn’t take the wheel, as he’s still tied to Mercedes as a third driver. The Finn wasn’t even at the track and preferred to stay in Australia, cycling with his wife.
According to Graeme Lowdon, Pérez “was not even pushing“, as the test was just to train mechanics. But Checo’s lap times raised a few eyebrows.
His fastest time in the first day was a reported 1:18.82, set with hard tires and at least 8 laps worth of fuel. He also seen sliding at the exit of some corners and even taking the run-off at Tamburello.
In the second day, Pérez improved 1″5 and set an impressive 1:17.27 in the last lap of the day, with hard tires and cool asphalt. It’s worth noting that he did a long run too, collecting a consistent 24-lap stint with a fastest lap of 1:21.53 and an average pace of 1:22.476.
These lap times are more common in a quali simulation than a mere “mechanic’s training”, so it’s fair to say Checo was pushing as hard as he could. Perhaps he missed the feeling of speed, or the satisfaction of pushing a car to the limit, which he couldn’t do at Red Bull…
Comparisons are not available, since the SF-23 never raced nor tested in Imola, but, according to an ever present onlooker, only Antonelli was perhaps faster than him at Acque Minerali, when he tested the 2022 Mercedes in April last year. And he was pushing with soft tires.
Attendance was higher than expected
As the news was long anticipated, fans could plan their visit to the Imola circuit. An esteemed 100 spectators attended the 2-days of testing, with 40 of them waiting for Pérez at the exit of the paddock during lunchtime the first day and 15 on the second day. But he opted to eat inside the paddock…
Checo didn’t stop in the evening either, but he’s not rude. He likely had a flight or some other appointment. In the morning, when he was not in a rush, he’s been very nice with fans. He stopped the car, signed autographs and posed for selfies. Most of the time the perception of the kindness of a driver depends on the moment you meet him.
Nontheless, the event was reminiscent of the Grand Prix atmosphere, as fans use their wits and braved the heights to find the perfect spot to see the on track action.
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