Sergio Perez did something in first Cadillac F1 test that proves ‘Red Bull nightmare’ is behind him

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Sergio Perez appeared in F1 machinery for the first time since his exit from Red Bull at the end of 2024, and the Mexican immediately proved that he was over his nightmare that unfolded at the Milton Keynes-based constructor.

A black Ferrari F1 car was driven for the first time in 30 years at the iconic Imola circuit this week as Cadillac took part in their very first test as a Formula 1 constructor.

Through their ties to Ferrari through an engine deal, which will see the iconic Italian constructor supply them with power units until the end of 2028, the countless number of staff at the brand new F1 team were able to get a taste of what a Grand Prix demands.

Ferrari engineers offered advice to their future rivals, aiding them in getting their heads around the lightning-quick pit stops that take place during a race, as well as the optimal way to prepare tyres.

Everyone in the team seemed to benefit from the mock Grand Prix, especially the man behind the wheel.

READ MORE: Carlos Sainz shares why he thinks Sergio Perez was given a ‘second chance’ in Formula 1 with Cadillac

Sergio Perez’s lap times at Cadillac indicate that his ‘Red Bull nightmare’ is now behind him

According to a report from Motorsport.com on Cadillac’s debut F1 test, there was a lot of pleasant energy in the air during the American constructor’s two-day tenancy at the circuit in Imola.

Perez completed 184 laps of the 3.05-mile track over the course of the test, which is equal to the distance of three full Grands Prix. The report states the 35-year-old made it ‘clear’ that he was excited to be back at the wheel of an F1 car as he began to ‘push’ from his very first lap on the circuit.

In fact, Perez’s fastest time from the first day of testing was nearly a second faster than Charles Leclerc’s 2022 FP2 in Ferrari’s previous spec of car.

Obviously, the car that was being used this week in Imola was the model that succeeded Ferrari’s 2022 challenger, with the 2023 edition of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix being cancelled due to flooding.

However, the six-time Grand Prix winner set an even faster time on the following day, recording an ‘excellent’ lap time of 1:17.270 on hard-compound tyres. The effort was just marginally slower than Leclerc’s 2024 FP1 benchmark of 1:16.990.

The American constructor was chuffed with the lap times that Perez was clocking in, and was even more delighted over the fact that his ‘Red Bull nightmare’ seems to have not affected his natural talent at the wheel of an F1 car.

READ MORE: Sergio Perez ally shares what’s ‘excited him most’ about making his Formula 1 comeback with Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas was unable to take part in Cadillac’s maiden F1 test because of his ties to Mercedes

Perez’s counterpart for next season, Valtteri Bottas, was one of the few members of the new team not to have been present at the Imola-based circuit for the team’s debut test.

Due to his current contractual obligations to Mercedes as their official reserve driver, Bottas is prohibited from taking part in any form of driving for a rival constructor until his deal with the Silver Arrows is seen through.

However, the Finnish driver has been present at the majority of Grands Prix throughout the current campaign because of his role within Mercedes.

As he is still well in tune with the demands of the F1 calendar, Cadillac decided to move forward with Perez alone, due to him being in more dire need of race weekend experience.