Cadillac F1 aims for continued ‘momentum’ at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP

For a brief moment at last weekend’s Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Cadillac was celebrating a first: The team’s breakthrough finish in the points when Sergio Pérez crossed the finish line in P10.

However, a post-race penalty handed down to the veteran driver dropped him down the order in the final classification, taking that point away from F1’s newest team.

Still, Cadillac celebrated the accomplishment in the wake of the Monaco Grand Prix, and now the team aims to continue that “momentum” at this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

“The team did an amazing job in Monaco,” said team principal Graeme Lowdon in Cadillac’s media preview of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. “It’s not an easy race, but the team really pulled together and we finished 10th on the road. Even with the penalty, it’s a remarkable result. Barcelona is a very different configuration so we need to keep focused on executing well, solving challenges as they come up and getting the basics right. With the solid foundation we continue to build, I am sure we will keep this upward trajectory.”

This season’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix is the grid’s first visit to Spain, as F1 will return later this year for the inaugural race in Madrid, at the new Madring circuit.

Pérez, who looked to secure that elusive first point for the team, declared that the team heads to the race “extremely motivated” after the Monaco Grand Prix.

“The whole team goes to Barcelona extremely motivated. We can be very proud of the Monaco race as we didn’t give up. Scoring points in only our sixth race would have been a great story but this is an experience that will shape the team in a very positive way. It has a lot of character, which is what I really love about it,” said Pérez. “Barcelona will be very different, much more predictable in a way. The objective has to be to have a clean weekend, run reliably and keep that trajectory of moving forward. There’s a lot of belief now in the team and we need to keep that spark.”

Veteran driver Valtteri Bottas, who was forced to retire from the Monaco Grand Prix due to a technical issue, mirrored that sentiment.

“We have a great opportunity to jump right back in the car and push on as a team this weekend in Barcelona, with the aim of getting on top of the issues I faced last race. I’m keen to see how much progress we’ve made together since the Barcelona shakedown, which was the first time I got behind the wheel of the MAC-26. Hopefully we can hit the ground running and build a good rhythm throughout the sessions. I’ve had positive results on this track throughout my career, so let’s see what this weekend has to offer,” said Bottas.

Joining the fray this weekend is F2 driver Colton Herta, who will replace Pérez during the first practice session in addition to his duties on the junior formula.

“I’m excited for Barcelona,” said Colton. “I feel ready to get out there. I’ve had time in the simulator at Charlotte, learning the track and the procedures to follow during the session. I’ve also been working with the team at Silverstone and at the track over the past few races, following how they work so I can get up to speed as quickly as possible. The aim is to have a clean session and help the team gather the data it needs, as well as getting used to the F1 car. It’s going to be a busy weekend as I’m competing in F2 at the same time, but pressure is a privilege so I’m looking forward to it.”

This weekend’s F1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix gets underway Friday with the first of three practice sessions, ahead of Saturday’s qualifying hour.