Cadillac must avoid breaking F1 rule that barred one team from putting their cars on the grid

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Cadillac are going to face a whole host of challenges as they prepare to compete on the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026.

Fortunately, they’ve enlisted the experience of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for the gig, who combine for more than 500 races in experience.

The 2026 F1 regulations are going to be a mountain to climb for everyone, but pre-season testing won’t reveal the running order.

That will only start to be revealed at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where Cadillac will face a unique problem.

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Bernie Collins thinks Bottas and Perez might clash, such is the vast difference in their personalities. However, their main goals should align.

Cadillac feared ‘negative publicity’ before announcing Zhou Guanyu as a reserve driver. He’s another individual who brings valuable experience to the team, though.

READ MORE: Cadillac had Ferrari teach them two key things about F1 before Sergio Perez’s Imola test

Cadillac must avoid breaking the 107% rule like HRT in 2011 and 2012

Cadillac’s first challenge is to turn up with a reliable and functioning car. Seeing the chequered flag will help them gather some crucial data.

To get to the chequered flag, first they must pass a tricky and unusual Formula 1 regulation called the 107% rule.

To be eligible to start a race, a driver must qualify within 107% of the fastest time set during qualifying. At last year’s Australian Grand Prix, Lando Norris set a 1:15.096.

The 107% time was a 1:20.353, over three seconds slower than the slowest time set in Q1 by Haas’ Esteban Ocon.

The threat of failing to clear the cut-off looms much larger for newer teams, as HRT found out back in 2011 and 2012.

Therefore, it stands as Cadillac’s biggest problem. The more testing they can do before Melbourne, the more prepared they’ll be to qualify to race.

READ MORE: How Sergio Perez’s Cadillac test times in old Ferrari F1 car compare to Charles Leclerc

Who are the most appropriate recent F1 example to Cadillac’s entry?

For their first two seasons, Cadillac will be powered by a Ferrari engine before bringing their own to the grid from 2028.

Funnily enough, the last new team to enter the grid in 2016, 10 years ago, was in a similar situation – Haas.

They were competitive immediately and even scored points on debut. Cadillac are better compared to Haas than they are HRT, who were woefully under-prepared.

But they also won’t have the same level of technical assistance, given that it’s the first year of a new set of regulations, and 2016 wasn’t a fully fresh start for Haas.

Overall, Cadillac should be expected to bring up the rear, but be within the 107% rule. They will be concerned if they end up more than five seconds or so off the pace in Australia.