Cadillac’s first F1 car breaks cover at Silverstone shakedown

The Cadillac Components 1 crew has accomplished a shakedown at Silverstone in what was the primary ever laps for its inaugural grand prix automotive.

The American automotive big turns into the eleventh crew on the grid in 2026, because it hits the observe in a Ferrari-powered challenger.

The Cadillac F1 crew staged its first check as an outfit late final yr at Imola, as Sergio Perez accomplished two days of operating in a black-liveried 2023-spec Ferrari.

The check was aimed to offer Perez extra miles in a automotive after sitting out the 2025 season, whereas additionally serving to the crew put together for its first season.

Cadillac’s inaugural F1 yr has now kicked up a gear, after collaborating in a shakedown at Silverstone on Friday with check driver Zhou Guanyu.

It marked the primary laps of Cadillac’s 2026 automotive, with the crew restricted to 200km of operating  – or roughly 34 laps at Silverstone – below shakedown and filming day check guidelines.

Forward of the check, Zhou Guanyu stated in a short video on the crew’s social media channels: “We’re right here at Silverstone for the brand new season shakedown along with the Cadillac F1 crew.

“I’m tremendous excited. A shakedown is all about ensuring the automotive is operating, and all of the engineers are ticking by means of all of the bins with the gearbox, the engine, and likewise the set-up work.

“For the driving force, it’s all about if we’re blissful, snug with the brand new seat, the steering wheel, all of the suggestions, and likewise all of the communications.

“So, wanting ahead to it and extra pleasure for the season.”

Cadillac revealed a one-off livery earlier this week that it’s going to use through the five-day Barcelona shakedown check on the finish of January.

The brand new livery is “used whereas a automotive is being developed. It helps the crew perceive aerodynamics, efficiency, and integration earlier than finalising the design.”

Cadillac’s full-time 2026 livery shall be revealed through the Tremendous Bowl in February.

The American outfit is the second F1 crew to have put a 2026 challenger on observe, following Audi’s operating at Barcelona final week.

All groups will seemingly perform shakedowns previous to the personal Barcelona check on the finish of the month.

Ferrari is presently the subsequent crew scheduled to hit the observe with its 2026 automotive, because it completes a shakedown at Fiorano on 23 January when it reveals its new livery.