When Cadillac joined the Formula 1 grid this season, expectations were realistic but optimism was strong. Eleven rounds into its debut campaign, however, the American outfit remains rooted near the back of the field, consistently around 2.5 seconds behind the frontrunners.
Key Highlights
- Sergio Perez says Cadillac has "not developed enough" during its debut F1 campaign.
- The American team remains around 2.5 seconds off the pace after 11 rounds despite regular upgrades.
- Perez points to Cadillac's reliance on third-party suppliers as a major obstacle to development.
- The team is targeting further upgrades in 2026 while building a stronger foundation for the 2027 season.
Cadillac Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Despite introducing a steady stream of upgrades to the MAC-26, the performance gap has barely changed. Even a major upgrade package introduced in Austria failed to produce the breakthrough the team had hoped for. The contrast became even more apparent at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Aston Martin surged ahead after introducing its B-spec chassis, highlighting just how difficult Cadillac's development journey has been.
Perez Calls for Better Development
Sergio Perez did not hide his disappointment when assessing Cadillac's progress. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he had already predicted Aston Martin would move ahead, the experienced driver admitted the team simply has not developed quickly enough. "It has been very tricky, it has been very difficult for us to develop. I think we haven't developed basically enough."
For Perez, the issue extends beyond outright pace—it is about creating a more effective and efficient development process. He stressed that Cadillac must rethink the way it approaches development if it wants to become more competitive. "We obviously have to rethink all our processes to make sure that we are able to develop a lot stronger, because in Formula 1 it is all about developing."
Third-Party Suppliers Slowing Progress
One of Cadillac's biggest challenges is its dependence on external suppliers. As a new entrant, the team still purchases several components instead of producing everything in-house, a common approach for newcomers but one that can slow development.
Perez believes this reliance has reduced the team's ability to react quickly. "It is a little bit of inefficiency and obviously a lack of development because a lot of it is done through third parties, so we don't control much of it."
He added that established teams benefit from well-defined development systems, while Cadillac is still building those processes and learning to manage the complexities that come with them.
Building Towards 2027
Even so, the Graeme Lowdon-led team is already planning more upgrades for the second half of the 2026 season. Beyond improving short-term performance, those updates are expected to strengthen Cadillac's development process, boost confidence within the team, and provide a stronger platform heading into its second Formula 1 campaign in 2027.
Perez acknowledged that everyone at Cadillac expects more. "No one in the team is happy with where we currently are."
Cadillac's task is made even tougher by Formula 1's current regulations, where rapid and efficient development is essential to closing the gap. While results have been hard to come by, the team's focus remains firmly on improving its development pathway and proving it can compete more consistently in the seasons ahead.
