Ferrari may have caught a bit of a break ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, thanks to an unexpected helping hand from Cadillac. Cadillac were one of the first teams to take their new car out on track, holding a private filming day at Silverstone.
Ferrari may have caught a bit of a break ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, thanks to an unexpected helping hand from Cadillac.
Cadillac were one of the first teams to take their new car out on track, holding a private filming day at Silverstone.
Sergio Perez, who will drive for them in their first race in Australia, was given the honour of becoming the first person to complete a lap in a Cadillac F1 car.
Cadillac plans to eventually become a works team once General Motors finish building their own engine, but until then, they’re running with Ferrari power units.
The build-up to 2026 has been dominated by talk about engines and rule changes. Mercedes and Red Bull may have found a loophole, while Ferrari are said to be testing steel cylinders in Maranello.
There had been whispers that Ferrari’s engine wasn’t quite ready for the new campaign. But Cadillac’s early run might’ve given Fred Vasseur some encouraging feedback that things are heading in the right direction.
Cadillac’s 2026 F1 Run Delivers Early Positive Signs for Ferrari Engine
Formula Uno Analisi Tecnica have provided more details on what Ferrari learned from Cadillac’s 200km run at Silverstone.
According to the report, Cadillac’s engineers were pleased with the feedback on the Ferrari engine. A delay in firing it up was reportedly due to a “poorly calibrated ignition system,” rather than any problem with the power unit itself.
While Cadillac’s car won’t mirror the SF-26, the key focus for Ferrari is how their engine performs when either Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas is behind the wheel.
The test run is said to have matched Ferrari’s expectations, and there were no significant issues reported. This early check-in was viewed as a positive step by those within Maranello.
It’s still early days, though, as Cadillac didn’t cover enough laps to properly stress-test the new hybrid engine. Even so, all initial feedback has supported Ferrari’s optimism ahead of testing in Barcelona.
Why Zhou Guanyu Could Help Cadillac Get the Most Out of Ferrari’s 2026 Engine
Cadillac’s partnership with Ferrari will mirror Haas’ setup in some ways, but they’re expected to operate more independently as they settle into the sport.
It’s remarkable to think that both cars will be ready for the Australian Grand Prix, especially since their entry was only made official last March.
While many predict Cadillac will start at the back of the grid in 2026, having experienced drivers like Perez and Bottas could make a difference early on.
Zhou Guanyu has also been named as Cadillac’s reserve driver, adding even more F1 experience to the team.
He also knows Ferrari power units well from his time as their reserve driver last season.
Zhou is expected to play a key role in helping Cadillac get up to speed. He’ll be working closely with Perez, Bottas and the simulator team to fine-tune performance and correlation between track and sim data.
Even though some fans hoped Cadillac would take a chance on a younger driver this year, their choice of an experienced trio might give them a better shot at finding early success.
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Category: General Sports
