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Perez hits the track at Imola in ’23 spec Ferrari for Cadillac F1 preparations
Sergio Perez is back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time in nearly a year for a two-day testing of previous car (TPC) outing as Cadillac ramps up preparations for 2026.
Cadillac does not have a car of its own to test, but has reached an agreement with its power unit supplier Ferrari to have access to a 2023-specification SF-23. The test is taking place at Imola and allows Cadillac the opportunity to train its own team members on a number of systems as well as carry out race weekend simulations, with Perez driving for the first time since his final outing for Red Bull in December 2024.
“I think it's great to get the running and also the timing works perfectly because it's just before the January test," Perez told the official Formula 1 website. “On these two days, on the physical side, I want to see how much I've lost, where I need to work on. It will give me a very good guide for the winter, to be able to focus on that stuff.
“It is also a chance to start working together with the team, with the engineers, with the mechanics and start to speak the same language. It's definitely a great time for us.”
The SF-23 is running in an all-black livery rather than the usual Ferrari red, with the FIA in attendance to ensure compliance as is standard with TPC running. Cadillac is limited in the data and telemetry it can retrieve from the car, with a focus on training both Perez and Valtteri Bottas’ crews ahead of 2026.
Cadillac test driver Colton Herta has also been driving in Italy earlier this month, although his test was in a previous generation Formula 2 car at Monza ahead of his move into the category in 2026.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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