In a heartfelt moment that captures the essence of teamwork and ambition, Sergio Perez shared an emotional radio message with the Cadillac F1 team following their significant shakedown for the 2026 season. This event marked a pivotal milestone for Cadillac as they gear up for their inaugural Formula 1 campaign, having successfully completed their initial laps with the 2026 car at Silverstone last Friday.
Cadillac made a notable decision to publicly share Perez's team radio transmission after the shakedown. In a video released on social media, Perez expressed his pride and excitement, stating, "Guys, I’m extremely proud of all of you. This is a very special moment for Cadillac F1 Team. Let’s make history together. Thank you, guys." His words not only celebrate this achievement but also set a tone of unity and shared ambition moving forward.
Joining him in this historic moment was teammate Valtteri Bottas, who observed as Perez took the wheel during these crucial early laps. The significance of this day wasn't lost on Perez, especially after a year spent on the sidelines in 2025. He reflected on the experience by saying, "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."
Bottas, too, shared in the sentiment: "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."
After debuting with an all-black livery during the shakedown at Silverstone, Cadillac plans to unveil a unique color scheme at the upcoming pre-season test in Barcelona, where the names of team members will be integrated into the car design. This testing session is scheduled from January 26-30 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, allowing teams a maximum of three days of track time.
Looking ahead, Cadillac will reveal its official race livery for the 2026 F1 season in a commercial set to air during the Super Bowl on February 8, just before the final two tests in Bahrain. This strategic marketing move highlights Cadillac's commitment to making a strong impression as they enter the competitive world of Formula 1.
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