Cadillac’s Progress in F1

The newest team in Formula 1 has reported “significant” advancements after their first two races. Now, they’re aiming high for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez was the only one to finish at the season’s opening race in Australia, but both he and Valtteri Bottas successfully completed the Chinese Grand Prix—this marks a major improvement for the sport’s latest competitor.

During the team’s media preview for the race in Japan, CEO Dan Tollis commended Cadillac’s “progress.” He noted, “What this team has accomplished in just two races speaks volumes about the discipline, talent, and relentless effort that’s going on at Silverstone, Indianapolis, and Charlotte.” Tollis expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory, saying they were eager to tackle the challenges that Japan would bring.

Team principal Graham Loudon also highlighted the “huge strides” the team has made, as they rapidly adapt to being on the grid. “From Australia to China, we’ve made significant progress in a short period,” he said. “Each session teaches us more about ourselves, and thanks to teamwork and a better understanding of the car, our performance seems to improve every time we’re on track.” This, he believes, has led to greater reliability and the chance to compete better against other teams.

“We have some very special talent within the team, and we’re keen to build on the solid foundation we’ve set as we head to Suzuka this weekend,” he added.

Both drivers are hopeful about making further advances in Japan, encouraged by their recent achievements. “The team has really pushed in the early races and it’s clear we’ve made progress. The sprint weekend in China was another challenge, but we managed well,” Perez remarked. “We’re looking forward to Suzuka, known for being a true drivers’ circuit where we have previously seen success. It might be tougher due to the high downforce needed, but we’ll maintain our focus on each session and aim to finish the race.”

Bottas shared his enthusiasm for Japan, recalling his victory there in 2019. “I cherish Japan for many reasons, and while I haven’t reached that level with Cadillac yet, the Chinese Grand Prix was promising. What’s key for us is that both cars finished the second race. We gained a lot from Shanghai and are entering Suzuka in a stronger place,” he noted.