Checo Pérez and Cadillac Arrive in Australia: Lessons from the Bahrain Test

After an intensive week of testing in Bahrain, Cadillac is preparing for its official debut in Formula 1. Mexican driver Checo Pérez actively participated in the evaluations, marking the final stretch of a preseason that clearly outlined the ambitions and challenges of the new team on the grid.

Checo Pérez’s Performance in the Last Test Day

On the morning session of Friday, February 20, Checo Pérez completed 61 laps at the Bahrain circuit, setting a time of 1:40.842, which placed him tenth in the day’s standings. Although the gap to the fastest driver exceeded 8 seconds, with Charles Leclerc posting 1:31.992 in his Ferrari, Pérez conveyed a positive outlook on the work done.

“The car’s balance feels good,” the Guadalajara-born driver said after handing over system controls to his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Pérez acknowledges that while the times still don’t reflect the pace of the leading teams, the optimization process is constantly progressing. “We have improved significantly in each test. We are covering a massive amount of kilometers, which is essential at this stage,” added the Mexican.

Cadillac’s Strategy: Rapid Development to Close Gaps

Aware that the first year always presents additional complexities, Pérez was frank in recognizing that the learning curve will be steep. “It’s about identifying how quickly we can advance from this point,” the driver emphasized, highlighting that the key lies in establishing solid foundations in the early stages of the season.

Cadillac’s management is working with the goal of gradually matching McLaren and Red Bull, the undisputed dominators of recent seasons. The strategic plan involves establishing a robust technological base during the first half of the year, allowing for more aggressive optimizations in the final stage. “As a new organization integrating all departments, it takes time. Our mission is to be competitive and constantly gather data,” Pérez concluded.

Preseason Wrap-Up: General Trends in the Paddock

The closing day confirmed Charles Leclerc as the fastest overall in all tests, solidifying Ferrari as the immediate benchmark. Lando Norris finished the afternoon session strongly with McLaren, while Max Verstappen kept Red Bull among the elite group.

Mercedes experienced a slight slowdown compared to previous days when they led. Teams like Williams and Aston Martin prioritized reliability programs and technical data collection over lap times. Overall, teams used these final preseason hours to validate aerodynamic designs, assess tire degradation, and fine-tune final configurations.

With the calendar set to begin in Australia, Checo Pérez and Cadillac approach the 2026 campaign with strategic realism: gradually consolidating their position while generating the incremental development needed to compete against established teams.