Cadillac plans to conduct Formula 1 car tests later this year in preparation for its debut season in 2026. This was confirmed by newly appointed Cadillac driver Sergio Pérez and team boss Graeme Lowdon this week. As the American team does not have any old cars in the garage, they will need to approach competitors. For now, Cadillac is primarily focusing on digitally simulating race weekends.
Sergio Pérez, who will represent the new Cadillac team alongside Valtteri Bottas next season, confirmed on Tuesday that there are plans to test a car from another team before the end of the year. It is not yet known from whom Cadillac will request a loan car, although Ferrari seems to be the most logical partner at the moment. The Scuderia will supply engines to Cadillac from 2026, with Cadillac only introducing its own powertrain in 2029.
Simulations
“We don’t have a TPC car or a current car that we can drive, but we are already simulating full race events,” explained team boss Graeme Lowdon. “We will soon be simulating Monza, where we approach the entire weekend – from start to finish – as a complete race. The entire team is then fully integrated from Thursday through Sunday. We have a clear plan towards Melbourne next year, and that goes far beyond just simulating races.”
“In our last simulation, about fifty to sixty engineers were involved throughout the entire weekend,” Lowdon continued proudly. “And I’m talking about professionals in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Everyone needs to get used to each other. We can’t afford to arrive in Melbourne and have people hearing or working together for the first time.”
The Cadillac team boss also suggested that Charles Leclerc will be doing most of the test kilometers. After all, Bottas is still a reserve driver at Mercedes. In addition, thanks to his three-year stint at Sauber, the Finn already has extensive experience with Ferrari engines, while Pérez still needs to gain this knowledge. “Of course, we will also be testing with real cars this year,” Lowdon confirmed finally. “For this, we need to collaborate with other teams, but according to current regulations, this is completely allowed. We are building it step by step, so we can make a flying start in Melbourne.”
