Following a 20th-place finish in FP1, Sergio 'Checo' Pérez faced further challenges in FP2 and qualifying for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix with Cadillac, ending practice with minimal laps due to mechanical problems and qualifying 18th.
Sergio 'Checo' Pérez's debut weekend with the Cadillac F1 Team at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix continued to be troubled after his 20th in FP1.
In FP2, Pérez managed only two laps before pitting without a timed lap, finishing last. Cadillac technical director Pat Symonds explained two issues: a fuel system anomaly that delayed his session start by requiring battery removal, and a hydraulic leak that forced an early stop. Pérez said: “Unfortunately, we had too many problems on the track. We couldn't do any long runs, which was important... I hope that doesn't put us at a disadvantage and that we can have a clean Free Practice 3.” The team posted on social media: “Valtteri has done good mileage, while Checo's day was cut short by issues... We are analyzing everything and will come back stronger tomorrow.”
Qualifying on March 6 saw both Cadillac drivers eliminated in Q1: Pérez 18th, teammate Valtteri Bottas 19th. The session included a red flag from Max Verstappen's Q1 crash and another in Q3 after Lando Norris hit a fan detached from Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes. George Russell took pole.
Cadillac, the new 11th team with Ferrari engines, aims for improvements in Sunday's race at Albert Park.