Checo Pérez evaluates Cadillac preseason close-out positively

Sergio Pérez’s transition to his debut with Cadillac in Formula 1 was finalized after completing the preparatory testing on February 20th. During the morning session, Checo Pérez recorded a time of 1:40.842 on his fastest lap after completing 61 laps, placing him tenth. Although about 9 seconds behind Charles Leclerc and his Ferrari, which posted the best time of the day with 1:31.992, the Jalisco driver remains optimistic about the work the team has done during these crucial tests.

Checo Pérez’s First Impressions After Driving

After handing the car over to his teammate Valtteri Bottas, Checo Pérez spoke with the press and shared his thoughts on the vehicle’s performance during the tests. Despite the time gaps from the lead, he expressed confidence in the project’s direction. “The car maintains a pretty solid balance. We’ve seen notable improvements in each session,” said the Mexican driver regarding the technical progress made.

Checo Pérez was candid in acknowledging that this first year of Cadillac in the top category will involve extraordinary challenges. “We knew the start would be particularly demanding, but the key is to determine how quickly we can evolve from this point,” he stated. The team has focused on accumulating kilometers, which he considers crucial for laying the foundation of the project in its early stages.

The Adaptation Curve: Where Cadillac Is Heading

Cadillac faces a complex technical landscape. The goal is to reach the competitive pace of McLaren and Red Bull, teams that have recently dominated the category. Checo Pérez highlighted that the main challenge is to develop faster than the rivals. “The strategy is to establish the foundations in the first half of the season, properly position each department, and accelerate the car’s development. Ideally, we will close the gap soon,” explained the Guadalajara native.

Both Checo Pérez and Valtteri Bottas have contributed by identifying areas for improvement, providing feedback that fuels the work before the Australian Grand Prix. Their coordinated effort has helped detect opportunities in setup, aerodynamics, and chassis behavior. “As a new organization, getting all departments up and running takes time. We need to hit the track and gather massive data,” added Checo.

Overall Summary: Final Preseason Session

The February 20th session confirmed Charles Leclerc as the fastest in the full testing. Ferrari demonstrated remarkable consistency through extensive race simulations. Lando Norris with McLaren finished strongly in the afternoon session, while Max Verstappen kept Red Bull among the front runners.

In the rest of the paddock, various dynamics were observed. Mercedes slowed down after leading in previous days, while Williams and Aston Martin prioritized reliability programs over lap times. The final tests allowed teams to validate aerodynamic configurations, assess tire wear, and fine-tune critical technical details ahead of the championship.