3 minute read
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team just crossed a major threshold on its road to the 2026 Formula One World Championship: the car has officially turned its first laps on a real race circuit. This wasn’t ceremonial. It was a necessary, high-stakes step in transforming a brand-new F1 program from drawings and simulations into something tangible.
On January 16, 2026, at the iconic Silverstone Circuit in the UK, Sergio “Checo” Pérez took the wheel of the Cadillac F1 car during a promotional filming day. While the session didn’t count as official testing, it served a critical purpose. The team needed to validate systems, confirm baseline functionality, and make sure the car actually behaves the way it’s supposed to once it leaves the garage.
The car ran in an all-black temporary livery, with the official 2026 race design still under wraps. Cadillac plans to unveil the final livery on February 8 during a globally broadcast Formula 1 event, signaling that the team is ready to step fully into the spotlight.
Inside the Team’s First On-Track Moment
For Cadillac Formula 1 Team CEO Dan Towriss, the day marked a historic achievement. Thousands of hours of engineering, manufacturing, and coordination culminated in the car rolling out under its own power. Team Principal Graeme Lowdon emphasized the practical value of the session, pointing to how early track time helps identify issues that no simulator can fully predict.
Driver Reactions Say a Lot
Pérez described the experience as surreal, highlighting the collective effort required to reach this point. Valtteri Bottas echoed that sentiment, noting the pride and emotion within the garage as the team watched its creation come to life for the first time.
For drivers, these moments matter. They aren’t about lap times or competition yet. They’re about trust — trust in the car, the engineers, and the direction of the program.
Why This Milestone Matters
For an all-new Formula 1 entry, first laps are more than symbolic. They represent the transition from theory to reality. Every new team faces the same question early on: will everything work together once it’s assembled? Cadillac now has that answer.
This milestone confirms the team is on schedule heading into full pre-season testing and, ultimately, its competitive debut in the 2026 championship. It also reinforces Cadillac’s serious intent as one of the few new constructors entering Formula 1 in recent decades.
Backed by General Motors and partnered with TWG Motorsports, Cadillac’s entry marks a significant American push into a sport traditionally dominated by European manufacturers. With experienced drivers, established leadership, and now a functioning race car, the foundation is officially in place.
What Comes Next
The focus now shifts to:
- Full pre-season testing later this winter
- The official 2026 car livery reveal on February 8
- The team’s first competitive race at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, 2026
These early Silverstone laps won’t show up on a timing sheet, but they’ll be remembered as the moment Cadillac truly arrived in Formula 1. From here on out, it’s about refinement, reliability, and proving that this ambitious new entry belongs on the world’s biggest motorsport stage.
