Mario Andretti says Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas a bit rusty

While Audi have taken over Sauber and came into F1 with a new power unit, Cadillac have built a team from the ground up and procured a power unit from Ferrari before they build their own by 2029.

On the drivers' front, Cadillac have opted for experience, signing Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, who have both lost their respective full-time drives with Red Bull Racing and Sauber at the end of 2024.

However, it has been a rough start for the American brand in the top flight. With two races already contested in 2026, Cadillac are yet to make it out of Q1 in qualifying, while only one of their cars finished in the Australian Grand Prix.

They managed to get both cars across the line in China but were lapped while also keeping in mind that only 15 cars finished that race.

Andretti, the 1978 F1 Champion, has his name on the chassis of the Cadillac F1 car and gave his verdict on their start in 2026.

He said: "The main thing that really interests me is I want to hear from the drivers, and that’s really what it’s all about.

"To be honest with you, I think they’re both just a little bit rusty," the American pointed out about the team's drivers who clashed on Lap of of the race in China. "They’ve both been out of the cockpit for at least one season.

"With the new package and everything else, they’re being very careful, you know, just to participate and not set anything back by maybe going out there and creating more work that’s needed."

As to the feedback from the driver regarding what Cadillac needs to improve, Andretti said: "The initial comments, clearly, I think we’re lacking some downforce, especially rear stability. That’s what I keep hearing from both of them and things like that.

"And the other side is to totally try to understand how to take advantage of the power unit for what the delivery is, between keeping the battery charge and all that sort of thing."

And while Cadillac have their own problems being a new team, they also have issue which rivals are facing as well with the new cars built under the new-for-2026 regulations.

"That’s not only the problem that we have," Andretti went on. "We’re not the only ones who have that issue. Outside of, say, Mercedes and Ferrari, it seems like everybody else is searching deeply how to really maximize their situation.

"It’s going to be an interesting progress of the season as to see who really puts their arms around it all.

"As a driver, I think, to be able to extract everything out of the chassis itself, now, all of a sudden, you’ve got to relearn how to use the throttle, how to use everything.

"So I’m not sure I am envying the drivers at the moment. I’m almost happy that I’m on the sidelines," the 86-year-old concluded. (Source: Drive to Wynn podcast)