Sergio Perez is back and ready to make waves in Formula 1! After being dropped by Red Bull at the end of the previous season, the Mexican driver is set to kick off his thrilling return with an exhilarating two-day test at the iconic Imola circuit next month—behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car! Yes, you heard that right! This is not just any comeback; it marks Perez’s first laps in a Formula 1 car since the dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi last year.
As the newest member of the ambitious Cadillac team, which is gearing up to enter the F1 arena in 2026, Perez is embracing this unique opportunity to hone his skills. Due to Cadillac not having any previous machinery available for testing, the talented driver will utilize a 2023 Ferrari model to prepare for his highly anticipated return to the grid.
Speaking passionately at a football event in Mexico, Perez emphasized the importance of getting some vital track time: “As much as I train, I need to have time, kilometers in the car, because in the end, they are very specific exercises and muscles that you train in the car,” he stated. “I’m going to have two days in Imola, which is going to help me a lot. But, we’re doing well in preparation.” This test is not just about getting behind the wheel; it’s also a chance to collaborate with the mechanics and engineers to ensure the entire team is ready for the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Cadillac’s team principal, Graeme Lowdon, has been busy assuring rival teams that there’s no reason to fret about their Ferrari test plans. “We’ve been looking at the testing a team can do under the TPC rules,” he said. “We don’t actually need to test a car, so it doesn’t really matter. We want to use a car because we try to make it as real to life as possible.” Lowdon is keen to clarify that the goal is not to gain an unfair advantage but to equip their mechanics with the experience they need to succeed in the ultra-competitive F1 environment.
As the excitement builds around Perez’s comeback, questions loom about his teammate, Valtteri Bottas. Will the Finnish driver join him at Imola? Bottas, currently tied to Mercedes as their official reserve driver, has hinted at a smooth transition, stating, “Mercedes has been really supportive on the transition, so I don’t think they’re going to block me in any way.” Bottas has already been in talks with Cadillac and has expressed enthusiasm about contributing to the new team’s preparations. However, whether he can join Perez at the test remains uncertain, as drivers are officially contracted until December 31.
The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as Sergio Perez gears up for his long-awaited return to Formula 1. With a powerful Ferrari at his fingertips and a new team ready to make its mark, the racing world will be watching closely. Will Perez shine in his new role, or will the challenges of the track prove too daunting? One thing is for sure—this is just the beginning of an electrifying new chapter in his motorsport career!
