Cadillac made it clear during the winter tests in Bahrain that it doesn’t intend to play a supporting role in its debut season. Team principal Graeme Lowdon admitted the young outfit felt the pressure during the test days, but stressed that the experience of drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez has proven invaluable. The pairing brings a combined 527 Grands Prix and sixteen wins to the garage.
Over three test days Bottas and Pérez completed 315 laps together. Thanks in part to the Ferrari power unit, which proved notably reliable during the test weeks in Barcelona and Bahrain, the first miles went largely trouble-free. For now Cadillac — stepping into F1 without prior experience and facing a tough baptism by fire — looks capable of planting itself in the midfield. According to Lowdon, that is largely down to the experience within the line-up.
Experienced hands
“The great thing is we get accurate feedback straight away,” Lowdon told the press in Sakhir. “These men have enormous experience with different teams, engineers, cars, engines and chassis. I know the 2026 car is different, but when a driver gives us good feedback — especially about the car’s handling — we don’t waste time.” In the run-up to the debut season Cadillac faced its share of criticism. By awarding two seats to experienced drivers, the team was accused of limiting the flow of new talent.
Precisely in an era when testing opportunities are limited, experience is crucial, Lowdon argues. “We get precise, considered and valuable feedback, and that’s exactly what we were looking for,” he explained. “On top of that, they’re quick. Naturally Cadillac has had to tweak a few things in the schedule, and with the FIA tests you have limited time to do everything. For example, we haven’t carried out performance runs yet. But when it comes to the drivers we’re getting exactly what we expected: accurate feedback and plenty of pace. We’re very pleased with that.”
