Sergio Perez Admits Cadillac F1 2026 Still ‘Fighting Issues’

Sergio Perez has admitted that the Cadillac F1 Team was still “fighting issues” throughout Thursday’s running as he returned to the cockpit during the Barcelona shakedown.

Cadillac’s Formula 1 car made its on-track debut on Monday, with both Perez and team-mate Valtteri Bottas completing initial installation running. The team did not appear on track again until Thursday, when Perez handled driving duties and logged a total of 66 laps across the day.

Despite the interruptions earlier in the week, Perez described Thursday as a clear step forward, particularly in terms of mileage and the volume of information gathered. However, he acknowledged that a number of technical challenges remain as Cadillac continues its early development phase.

“It was a much better day,” Perez said.

“Obviously, we got a lot of running, a lot of information.”

The Mexican driver stressed that identifying problems is a key objective of the shakedown, especially for a brand-new team operating under an all-new regulatory framework.

“We’re still fighting a few issues out there, which is great — that’s what today was all about,” he added.

“We are improving on pretty much every run.”

Perez went on to outline the breadth of the challenges Cadillac is facing, noting that the issues are not confined to a single area of the car.

“There are issues all around — with the power unit, with the car, and with a few electronics issues,” he explained.

“But this is great that things are happening here. We have a lot of work ahead of us, being a new team.”

Cadillac is preparing for a demanding first season in Formula 1, having built its operation from scratch ahead of its maiden campaign. As the sport’s newest entrant, the team’s immediate focus remains on reliability, systems integration, and data correlation rather than outright performance.

To support that process, Cadillac has recruited two of the most experienced drivers on the grid in Perez and Bottas, with both expected to play a central role in guiding development through detailed technical feedback.

For Perez, Thursday’s running also marked another step in his return to Formula 1, having last raced full-time in the championship in 2024. The 36-year-old admitted that being back in the paddock took some adjustment.

“Coming back, it felt a little bit strange,” Perez said.

“Seeing some people, some drivers, again — it felt like it’s been a long time since I last saw them.”

Despite the unfamiliar feeling, Perez made clear that his motivation to compete at the highest level remains strong.

“I’m happy to be back,” he concluded.

With several issues now identified, Cadillac will focus on analysing the data from Barcelona and implementing solutions ahead of further pre-season running. For Perez and the team, the shakedown represents an essential foundation step as they continue building towards their debut Formula 1 season.