Cadillac has taken its first real step into the world of Formula 1 by running its 2026 car on track at Silverstone for an official shakedown. The event, held during a filming day, marked the operational debut of the project and a crucial moment to begin collecting real-world data after months of simulator and wind tunnel work.
Sergio Pérez was at the wheel, selected to contribute to the car’s early development thanks to his experience. The images released from the test allowed the first close look at several technical details of the new car, confirming a cautious and rational design approach typical of a debuting team focused above all on reliability and understanding its package.
From an aerodynamic perspective, the car features a sloping nose supported by two pylons and a front wing with a very pronounced central section, a solution reminiscent of concepts seen in the past. The front suspension uses a pull-rod layout, while the rear adopts a more traditional push-rod configuration. The sidepods appear relatively bulky, with clear undercuts that suggest particular attention to cooling and to managing airflow toward the rear of the car.
The air intake above the driver’s head follows an oval design divided internally into multiple channels, a solution intended to optimize airflow distribution to the various internal components. Overall, the car’s philosophy seems inspired more by solidity than by the pursuit of extreme solutions, with the aim of building a reliable technical foundation on which to develop the car over the course of the season.
A key element of the project will be the Ferrari-supplied power unit, which offers a strong guarantee in terms of competitiveness and allows Cadillac to focus primarily on chassis–aerodynamics integration and on the structural growth of the team. This first test is not about judging performance, but it marks the concrete beginning of Cadillac’s Formula 1 adventure and offers a first glimpse of the technical direction chosen to face the new 2026 regulatory era.