Checo Perez completed his first official test in Bahrain with the Cadillac team, marking the formal start of the American project in Formula 1. The Mexican driver recorded a best time of 1:38.828, placing 14th out of 18, after completing 58 laps without mechanical problems.
Although the result on the time sheet left it far behind the leaders, the team’s focus was clear from the start: reliability, data collection and technical evaluation, not fast qualifying laps. Cadillac focused its program on systems checks, aerodynamic correlation and testing with different Pirelli compounds. There was no official word on which tires Checo Perez used in each run, but the work was geared toward consistency and learning, rather than pure performance.
Most important: no mechanical failures
For a structure making its debut in Formula 1 and building its car practically from scratch, completing 58 laps without major interruptions is a positive sign.
Checo Perez’s car, powered by a Ferrari power unit, responded within expectations internally.
In this initial phase, mileage is more valuable than final position.
In categories such as F1, where every piece of information counts, a clean day represents a solid step in the construction of the project.
New regulation 2026: an additional challenge
The technical context is also key.
The 2026 regulation introduces a 50-50 split between combustion engine and electric power, which modifies the car’s behavior, especially in deployment management.
This variability directly affects braking points and corner entry speed.
During the day, several drivers (such as Checo Perez) went long at Turn 10, reflecting the adaptation challenge faced by the entire grid.
Fastest of the day
The team's approach was clear from the start
QuéOnnda.com
The best times of the test in Bahrain were:
1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:34.669
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:34.798
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:35.959
Checo Perez placed 14th, while teammate Valtteri Bottas finished 16th.
For fans who follow F1 from the United States – where the category is experiencing a historic boom with multiple Grands Prix – Cadillac’s debut represents a long-term strategic project.
The real question is not position 14, but how quickly Cadillac will be able to close the competitive gap.
And there, the experience of Checo Perez will be decisive. In testing, times count. But in new projects, data are worth even more.
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