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![\"Cadillac](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CadillacF1Team_2122_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCadillac has hit the track as an F1 manufacturer for the first time. Image: Cadillac <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCadillac has hit the track as an F1 manufacturer for the first time. Image: Cadillac
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Sergio Perez took the wheel of the team\u2019s maiden car during a promotional shakedown, with teammate Valtteri Bottas and reserve Zhou Guanyu also involved in running and system checks.<\/p>\n
The car, running in an all-black livery ahead of its official February 8 reveal during the Super Bowl, completed a filming day and basic shake down to ensure all systems were functioning ahead of pre-season testing in Barcelona later this month.<\/p>\n
Early laps also represented the first time Ferrari\u2019s 2026 power unit, which will power Cadillac, hit the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday was really an amazing day,\u201d Perez said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can, and should, all enjoy, but it\u2019s absolutely fired me up for more. I just want to get back in and get mileage \u2013 this is just the start.\u201d<\/p>\n
Team principal Graeme Lowdon praised the effort of the squad, noting the day allowed the team to work in a live garage environment and resolve any initial issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a great opportunity for the team to gel in a live garage environment, verify car systems and resolve any initial issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s just the beginning of the road; we now turn our attention to pre-season testing in just a few weeks\u2019 time, which will provide even more opportunity to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss called the milestone a culmination of years of preparation and work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching the car roll out of the garage is a moment of pride,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/CadillacF1Team_2101_HiRes.jpg\")
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Sergio Perez was the first to hit the track for Cadillac. Image: Cadillac<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first laps on track mark a historic milestone; the culmination of thousands of hours of work, driven by pure passion.<\/p>\n
\u201cGraeme has done an outstanding job of assembling a team of absolute racers who have given everything to get to this moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just the beginning, as our work continues at pace towards Melbourne and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cadillac will formally reveal the car\u2019s livery during a Super Bowl advert on February 8, before beginning official pre-season testing at Barcelona on January 26.<\/p>\n
The team will compete as the 11th entrant on the 2026 F1 grid, becoming the first all-new team since Haas debuted in 2016.<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/285249.gif\")