Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez returned to Formula 1 with the Cadillac team at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, finishing 20th in the first free practice session at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. The Mexican completed 14 laps with minor technical issues, as Charles Leclerc topped the session with a time of 1:20.267. This debut marks Cadillac's entry as the 11th team on the grid.
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix, opening the Formula 1 season at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, marked Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez's return to the category after a year away. The 36-year-old Mexican now races with Cadillac alongside Valtteri Bottas, in the debut of the team backed by General Motors. The car is named MAC-26, honoring 1978 champion Mario Andretti.
In the first free practice on Thursday, March 5 (Mexico time), Pérez finished 20th with a time of +4.353 seconds behind leader Charles Leclerc, who clocked 1:20.267. Leclerc beat his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton by +0.469; Max Verstappen was third with +0.552, and Isack Hadjar fourth with +0.820. Pérez completed 14 laps, including four on medium tires; his right mirror detached due to vibrations, and he experienced a minor spin from technical issues but continued. A Virtual Safety Car was deployed due to a failure in Alex Albon's car.
Other notable results include Oscar Piastri sixth with +1.075, Lando Norris 19th with +4.124, and Bottas 17th with +3.755. Fernando Alonso did not participate, and Lance Stroll recorded +30.067 for Aston Martin.
Before the session, Pérez messaged his fans: “Hola a todos. Quiero mandarles un fuerte abrazo, agradecerles todo su apoyo que me han dado este año que estuve fuera y con este regreso también. Espero que tengamos muy buenos momentos y que podamos disfrutar mucho este regreso”. Director Graeme Lowdon stated: “El debut del Cadillac Formula 1 Team es uno de los momentos más orgullosos de mi carrera. Ha sido una tarea enorme llegar hasta este punto”.
Pérez has a two-year contract until 2027, with talks for an extension based on team progress. After Bahrain tests, he said: “Por el momento, el equilibrio del coche se siente bien. Creo que tenemos un coche equilibrado”. The season introduces changes like DRS elimination and 50/50 hybrid engines.
The event airs in Mexico on F1 TV, Sky Sports, Izzi Go, and DAZN. The circuit is 5.2 km long, with 58 laps for 306.124 km; the lap record is Leclerc's 1:19.816 (2024), and the last winner was Norris in 2025.
