In an exciting development for motorsport enthusiasts, Cadillac has officially conducted the shakedown of its inaugural Formula 1 car at the illustrious Silverstone circuit. This marks a significant milestone as Cadillac prepares to enter the F1 arena as the 11th team in 2026.
On Friday, the team took the opportunity to perform a filming day at the iconic British Grand Prix track, with Mexican driver Sergio Perez behind the wheel. Joining him were fellow driver Valtteri Bottas and reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, all part of the American team’s quest to perfect their single-seater racing machine. Cadillac even shared a glimpse of their first F1 vehicle on track, giving fans a sneak peek at the distinct sound of their Ferrari-powered engine.
Additionally, Zhou Guanyu posted a video of himself donning the Cadillac team attire, but cleverly concealed any images of the car, which is set to be unveiled in a highly anticipated Super Bowl advertisement next month, just in time for the initial Bahrain test sessions of the F1 season.
To maintain secrecy and prevent leaks, Cadillac reportedly placed stickers over the cameras of anyone who might capture unauthorized images of the car, although exceptions were made for their own filming crew. Nevertheless, some long-range photos of the car from the Silverstone garages have already surfaced on social media, creating buzz among fans.
While Cadillac faced challenges with unauthorized observers at the Northamptonshire track, they also encountered some technical difficulties during the morning session. However, after overcoming these hurdles, they successfully fired up the engine and started completing laps, albeit under the tricky weather conditions typical of Silverstone.
Sergio Perez expressed his excitement and pride following the shakedown, calling it a deeply emotional day for both him and the entire team. "Today was truly remarkable. Everyone should take immense pride in completing our first laps together as a team," he stated. "Every team member has worked tirelessly to reach this point, and being part of motorsport history is something I'll never forget. This experience has only fueled my enthusiasm to continue; I am eager to get back out there and accumulate more mileage—this is just the beginning!"
Earlier this week, Perez had visited the team's headquarters to discuss the technical specifications of the car before its debut, while Bottas shared on social media about having undergone a seat fitting at the base as well.
Cadillac's shakedown event aligns with a similar one held recently by Audi, which is set to take over the Sauber team in 2026. Audi held a filming session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya just last week, showcasing their own preparations for the upcoming season.
During these preliminary tests, teams are allowed to run a maximum of 200 kilometers and must utilize different tire compounds supplied by Pirelli compared to those available during official pre-season tests and throughout the racing season.
Dan Towriss, the CEO of Cadillac's F1 team, remarked on the significance of the day: "Today's shakedown represents a pivotal moment for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. Witnessing the car leave the garage filled me with pride. The first laps on the track symbolize a historic achievement, culminating from countless hours of dedication driven by sheer passion. Graeme Lowdon has done a phenomenal job assembling a team of passionate racers who have committed everything to reach this milestone.
"This is merely the beginning; our efforts will continue to gain momentum as we look ahead to Melbourne and beyond."
What do you think about Cadillac entering Formula 1? Are you excited to see how they perform in the upcoming season? Share your thoughts!
