The Cadillac Formula 1 Team completes its first laps

The Cadillac Formula 1 Team achieved another major milestone today as Checo Perez completed the first-ever on-track laps for the American squad. The team took to the historic Silverstone track during a pre-season promotional day, marking a monumental moment as it continues preparations for its debut Formula 1 campaign.

The laps were completed as part of a promotional filming day, serving the dual purpose of gathering footage of the car on track, and the opportunity to shake down the car to ensure all systems are working as expected in preparation for official pre-season testing.

The car ran entirely in black at Silverstone, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1 Team livery set to be revealed on Sunday, February 8, via a globally televised championship broadcast, representing a bold new way for the team to connect with new audiences within the United States and beyond.

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(L to R): Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team with team mate Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team. 16.02.2026. Formula 1, Cadillac Formula 1 Team Car Filming Day, Silverstone, England, Friday.

Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1^® Team Holdings, commented: “Today’s shakedown is a significant step for the Cadillac Formula 1 ^®Team. Watching the car roll out of the garage is a moment of pride. The first laps on track mark a historic milestone; the culmination of thousands of hours of work, driven by pure passion. Graeme has done an outstanding job of assembling a team of absolute racers that have given everything to get to this moment. This is just the beginning, as our work continues at pace towards Melbourne and beyond.”

Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal, added:“Today represents countless hours of hard work, commitment and belief from everyone involved in the team. It shows the progress we’re continuing to make in a short space of time. It’s been a great opportunity for the team to gel in a live garage environment, verify car systems and resolve any initial issues. But it’s just the beginning of the road; we now turn our attention to pre-season testing in just a few weeks’ time, which will provide even more opportunity to learn.”

(L to R): Graeme Lowdon (GBR) Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Team Principal with Dan Towriss (USA) Cadillac F1 Team and TWG Motorsports CEO and Pat Symonds (GBR) Cadillac Formula 1 Team Executive Engineering Consultant. 16.02.2026. Formula 1, Cadillac Formula 1 Team Car Filming Day, Silverstone, England, Friday.

Checo Perez: “Today was really an amazing day. Everyone should feel incredibly proud to complete our first laps as a team. Each and every person has worked so hard to get to this moment and it was emotional to be part of motorsport history. We can, and should, all enjoy, but it’s absolutely fired me up for more. I just want to get back in and get mileage – this is just the start.”

Valtteri Bottas: “As a team we made history today with the Cadillac Formula 1^® Team car taking to the track for the first time. Checo put in the first laps with the car running smoothly. I’m proud of the whole team for getting to this point, which is really impressive. It was special to be part of this moment and witness the joy from the team. Our first day is done and now we push on.”

Written by

Jarrod Partridge

Jarrod Partridge is the Co-Founder of F1 Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following Formula 1. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered F1 races at circuits around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, driver profile, and technical analysis he writes.

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