Cadillac wary of challenges of first Formula 1 Sprint Race Grand Prix weekend in China

The American team finished its first race in Melbourne with Sergio Perez classified 16th. That result marked the first full Grand Prix finish for Cadillac just 366 days after the project received official confirmation for entry into the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Round 2 now brings another challenge. Shanghai hosts the first Sprint weekend of the year, meaning teams get only one practice session before competitive running begins.

For a team still learning its new car and operations, that compressed schedule adds significant pressure.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon said: “It was incredibly special to see the Cadillac Formula 1 Team come to life and make history by finishing our first race. We learned a huge amount in Australia, and we are keen to build upon that knowledge during our first F1 Sprint weekend.”

The Sprint format includes Sprint Qualifying on Friday and a 19 lap Sprint race on Saturday before the Grand Prix on Sunday. The format leaves very little time to analyse data or make changes to the car.

Lowdon said: “Having proved that we can operate at the high standard demanded by Formula 1, our aim is to further our performance and reliability.”

Perez expects the Shanghai circuit to offer different lessons compared with Melbourne: “It was wonderful to finish the Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s first race last weekend. It is now all about making steps forward everywhere we can, and Shanghai is a completely different style of circuit, which means we can learn a lot.”

Perez added: “The Sprint will make this weekend a challenge, but I am excited to get back in the car and help the team to race.”

In the sister car, fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas believes the team arrives in China with more understanding of its car after the opening round: “It's great to get back to China, where there’s lots of support for the sport. For us, it's going to be our second-ever race weekend.”

“It’s also a Sprint with only one practice session, which is going to make the weekend interesting. Overall, I think we'll be again in a stronger position as a team. We’ve learned a lot from Melbourne. I just can't wait to get back to the car and perform the best we can with this quick turnaround," Bottas added.

Shanghai also represents a significant weekend for reserve driver Zhou Guanyu. Born in the city, Zhou remains the only Chinese driver to compete in Formula 1.

Zhou said: “The Cadillac Formula 1 Team is making progress every time it goes out, and I am sure it will make another leap forward in Shanghai. The support for the team in China is already very strong, and I am so proud to be part of this latest chapter in Formula 1 history.”

For Cadillac, the objective remains simple after Melbourne. Learn quickly, improve reliability and close the gap as the newest team on the Formula 1 grid.