Cadillac's debut season in Formula 1 is gaining traction, evidenced by Sergio Perez's close call with a points finish in Monaco. Despite a post-race penalty, the team's development is clear against a competitive field.
Sergio Perez nearly snagged Cadillac’s inaugural point in Formula 1 at the Monaco Grand Prix. He finished in 10th, a spot that would have netted him that elusive point, had it not been for a post-race penalty due to a starting infringement. The penalty dropped him to 15th. Despite this setback, the fact that Perez was battling for points signals just how much Cadillac has progressed in their first six races.
Cadillac, the first new F1 team in a decade, knew they were stepping into a fiercely competitive arena. In their early outings, the results were less than stellar: Perez finished last in Melbourne, three laps behind, while his teammate Valtteri Bottas retired with mechanical issues. In China, both drivers were a lap down, and it wasn't until Suzuka that Perez managed to stay on the lead lap.
While still struggling in qualifying—neither car has escaped Q1—Perez’s P18 in Monaco marked a season-best qualifying performance alongside his P17 in Montreal's Sprint Qualifying. Despite improvements, the American team still found points elusive, especially with competitors like Aston Martin and Williams making their own strides.
Monaco, however, was a race filled with opportunities. Several frontrunners, including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc, retired due to mechanical issues or crashes, opening the field for midfield teams. Perez initially appeared set to capitalize after Nico Hulkenberg incurred a penalty post-race, briefly elevating Perez to P10.
However, Perez's journey wasn't smooth. A drive-through penalty for starting in the wrong grid box set him back early on. Despite a strong start that saw him climb to 14th, he dropped to 16th after pitting and later serving the penalty. He spent much of the race languishing in 18th until a late Safety Car shuffled the order.
As retirements mounted, Perez climbed the ranks, dodging incidents involving Hulkenberg, Sainz, and Colapinto. He even overtook Fernando Alonso, his long-time rival, and gained another position when George Russell served his own penalty. This saw Perez cross the line in 11th, later promoted to 10th due to Hulkenberg’s penalty.
Yet, it wasn't meant to be. A review of the red flag restart found Perez’s front right wheel outside the grid box, resulting in a 10-second penalty that dropped him to last. Despite the disappointment, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon praised Perez’s drive, noting how he fought valiantly, even if the final result didn’t reflect his effort.
Cadillac's improvement is evident—not just in racecraft but also in qualifying form. Perez was about 1.5 seconds off the pace in Q1 at Monaco, a significant improvement from being over three seconds adrift in Australia. This steady progress suggests Cadillac is moving in the right direction, potentially faster than many anticipated.