Cadillac will unveil its first big upgrades package at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, heralding a crucial step in the team’s debut Formula 1 season.
The American squad has slowly but surely been shoring up reliability in its MAC-26 challenger already, with Sergio Perez leading the line with some stellar performances.
But as expected, competitiveness has been hard to come by, with a five-second penalty robbing them of what would have been their solitary point via Perez in Monaco.
That has not stopped the team from beavering away at its Silverstone base, however, with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon confirming two specific areas of the car that are receiving some welcome facelifts.
“The races now come along in rapid succession, and meeting that logistical element while improving our competitive performance is one of the key challenges of this part of the year,” he said.
“We are however, pleased to be able to bring another substantial upgrade package this weekend.
“With new sidepods and floor, it’s a significant amount of work, and we hope that it will continue our trajectory of steadily catching up to the midfield.
“We don’t underestimate the challenges Austria presents, but we’re learning all the time, and I’m confident we can make progress again this weekend.”
Cadillac ‘going full speed’ to bring new parts
Perez, along with teammate Valtteri Bottas, has often conveyed a sense of realism about the team’s prospects, but the Mexican appears buoyed by the upgrades, crediting the team for that swiftness in producing them.
“Every race it feels that we’re making progress, and there was a lot of valuable learning in getting to the checkered flag in Barcelona,” he said.
“The rate of development is very good, everyone back at the factory is going full speed to deliver new parts to the track, and the upgrade we have this weekend will hopefully provide another step.”
The team will also be looking forward to upgrades on its Ferrari power unit, as the Scuderia qualifies for the FIA’s Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities [ADUO] scheme.
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