Sergio Perez faced a significant setback during sprint qualifying at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix after the Cadillac F1 Team confirmed a crucial upgrade component was missing from his car. The admission came from team principal Graeme Lowdon, who acknowledged the potential performance impact.
Cadillac arrived in Miami with a major aerodynamic package, including a new floor, front wing, diffuser, and revised rear suspension. These updates were designed to increase cornering load and improve airflow efficiency, offering a clear step forward compared to the car used at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However, the absence of a key component limited the full effectiveness of the package, particularly in qualifying where aerodynamic balance is critical. Despite this, Perez still out-qualified team-mate Valtteri Bottas by a considerable margin, indicating that the underlying performance gains remain significant.
"We brought a substantial aero upgrade package this weekend, which has translated to more load through the corners and laptime. However, Checo was missing one part that could have added a bit more, and this will be rectified."
In addition to the technical limitation, Perez’s session was compromised by operational factors. He only completed one timed run after delays linked to the weighbridge process and pit timing, preventing a second attempt that might have secured a place in SQ2.
"I was happy with my lap and the pace looks promising, but I only had one run. At some points, we looked capable of reaching SQ2, so the priority is to solve these issues."
From a technical standpoint, limited track time also hindered setup understanding, particularly in optimising tyre behaviour and aerodynamic balance. This is especially critical at Miami, where a mix of long straights and technical sections places high demands on car configuration.
With the upgrade package showing clear potential, Cadillac’s focus now shifts to operational execution and consistency. Resolving these issues could allow the team to fully unlock performance gains in the main race and upcoming rounds of the 2026 season.
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