CHECO PÉREZ SHOCKS F1 WORLD: Mexican Star Stuns in 2026 Preseason Testing with Cadillac – Blistering 1:21.349 Lap Smashes Doubts, Signals Epic Comeback!

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Sergio “Checo” Pérez has delivered a jaw-dropping statement in the opening days of 2026 Formula 1 preseason testing, proving the doubters wrong and igniting excitement for Cadillac’s debut season. After a year away from the grid following his Red Bull exit, the Mexican veteran returned with ferocious pace at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya shakedown, clocking a best time of 1:21.349 in the morning session on Day Four while completing over 38 laps – a performance that has pundits buzzing about a potential title-contending force.

Pérez, now 36 and driving for the all-new American outfit Cadillac Formula 1 Team alongside Valtteri Bottas, turned heads by extracting serious speed from a car plagued by early teething issues. Cadillac, entering as F1’s 11th team with Ferrari power, faced reliability gremlins – engine hiccups, electronic glitches, and setup woes – but Pérez’s consistency shone through.

“We had problems on all fronts, but we fixed them lap by lap,” Pérez said post-session. “It’s positive – better now than in races. The car feels alive, and I’m happy to be back.” The sleek black-and-green livery gleamed under the Spanish sun as Checo pushed hard on medium compounds, posting consistent sectors that rivaled established midfield pacesetters.

The lap time, while not the outright fastest (Lewis Hamilton topped overall with 1:16.348 for Ferrari), stands out in context: Cadillac’s rookie status, new 2026 regs emphasizing active aerodynamics and sustainable fuels, and Pérez’s seamless adaptation. Over four days, he amassed 77 laps total, contributing to the team’s impressive 164-lap tally – solid mileage for a debutant amid stoppages for others.

This isn’t just testing hype – it’s a redemption arc. Pérez, once Red Bull’s reliable No. 2 with six wins, endured a tough 2024 before sitting out 2025. Joining Cadillac – backed by General Motors and headquartered in the U.S. – marks his return to the spotlight. “Checo’s confidence is sky-high,” a team insider revealed. “He’s maximizing every run, showing why he’s called the ‘Great Mexican Hero.’”

Fans erupted online: “Checo’s back and Cadillac is cooking!” one X post read, while Mexican supporters flooded social media with pride. Onboard footage revealed smooth, aggressive driving – precise braking into Turn 10, confident throttle through the final sector.

” He’s extracting everything from this car,” analyst Martin Brundle noted. “For a new team, this is massive.” Despite finishing Day Four eighth-fastest overall (behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren stars), his time improvement from earlier days – from initial struggles to 1:21.024 on Day Four – underscores rapid progress.

Cadillac’s journey began with a Silverstone filming day in January, where Pérez completed initial laps. Now, with real testing data, the team heads to Bahrain optimistic. “We’re addressing issues at the factory,” Pérez added. “High confidence for the season opener in Australia March 6-8.”

In a season promising chaos with new engines and aero rules, Pérez’s display positions him – and Cadillac – as dark horses. No longer just surviving, Checo is thriving. The Mexican flag waves high again, and F1 feels electric.

Watch this space: the “Great Mexican Hero” isn’t done yet – he’s just getting started.