Sergio Perez has indicated a positive opening day’s running for Cadillac in Formula 1‘s first pre-season test, saying things have been running “a little bit too smoothly at the moment”.
The Mexican was given a late-day run in the American squad’s first-ever chassis at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya on Monday.
Perez followed team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who completed the morning run, ensuring both men were given ample time to shake down the car.
The team’s lap times were not competitive, but in the case with all shakedown tests, the numbers on the board do not reflect the overall competitiveness.
For Perez, it was a happy experience to ensure the car was able to run, and whilst the car did run into technical trouble, the 36-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, stated that it was to be expected.
“It’s always challenging when there is a massive rule change,” he said.
“To get laps in is the main objective. We are just getting some laps on the board, which was promising.
“We had a lot of issues today, which is good. It’s our first day, so it’s been positive in that regard – you want all the problems to come now.
“Hopefully the next couple of days can be a lot smoother for us.”
Perez was pressed as to what Cadillac is hoping to gain from the remainder of its running, Perez answered that it would be to clock some more miles.
“Just trying to maximise everything,” he said.
“Everything has been running a little bit too smoothly at the moment, just trying to get laps in which I think is going to be the priority going into the coming days.
“That will be the main thing.”
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