Sergio Perez found himself in the spotlight during the opening practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, as two separate pitlane speeding violations resulted in a total of i1,700 in fines for the Cadillac Formula 1 team. The incident adds to the challenges faced by the American outfit in its debut season.
Perez was caught exceeding the mandatory 80 km/h pitlane speed limit twice during FP1. The first offence saw him clocked at 86.7 km/h, 6.7 km/h over the limit, which incurred a i700 fine. The second offence was more severe: he was recorded at 96.7 km/h, 16.7 km/h above the limit, leading to a i1,000 penalty. Both sanctions were issued under Article B1.6.3a.i of the FIA F1 regulations.
The incident comes amid a difficult debut campaign for Cadillac. As the team works to adapt to the championship, it has been plagued by reliability issues. Perez currently sits 23rd in the drivers' standings, while his team-mate Valtteri Bottas is 22nd, both yet to score points.
The first practice session in Madrid also marked the drivers' first experience of the Madring circuit. Built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre and the nearby Valdebebas district, the venue features a semi-street circuit layout with a mix of tight corners, high-speed straights, and a banked, sweeping curve called "La Monumental".
Despite being new to the track, Perez was impressed. "The track itself is a proper race track, from what I've seen," he told the media ahead of the weekend. "I haven't been on the circuit yet, but from what I've seen on the simulator, it's a proper track. It's a bit scary, I'll say. It reminds me a bit of Jeddah. Good, proper track, really happy to be here, and I think the atmosphere here is going to be one of the best."
In a closely contested session, the 36-year-old could only manage the 21st fastest time, ahead of only Bottas. The result underscores Cadillac's current position, still far behind its rivals.
For Cadillac, the fines may not carry the same weight as on-track performance, but they serve as a reminder that even the smallest details matter in Formula 1. The team will need to tighten its pitlane procedures to maximise the rest of the weekend in Madrid.
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