FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Mexican F1 driver Sergio Perez to speak to media after announcing his Cadillac team signing - Plaza Carso, Mexico City - August 27, 2025 Formula One driver Sergio Perez poses with Cadillac F1 team CEO, Dan Towriss and the flag of Mexico during his announcement of signing with the new Cadillac Formula One team for the 2026 season REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez/File Photo
(Reuters) -Sergio Perez drove a Formula One car for the first time in almost a year on Thursday with the Mexican testing for Cadillac at Italy's Imola circuit in a 2023 Ferrari.
Cadillac do not have a previous car of their own but will be using Ferrari engines when they debut next season as Formula One's 11th team, with a lineup of Perez and Finland's Valtteri Bottas.
Photos published online showed an all-black car running unbranded at the circuit.
Perez wore black overalls and helmet.
The Mexican told Reuters earlier in the week that the session, his first since his last race for Red Bull in December 2024, was important for the team to practice procedures, refine the simulator and prepare for future race weekends.
"It's basically just a time for us to be able to get together with the engineers, mechanics, start working all together, you know, start talking the same language," said the experienced Mexican.
"I'm curious, you know, to find out how many laps my neck will do before it gets destroyed," he added with a smile. "But it's great, you know. It's a great test and a great way to finish the year before getting back in the car next year."
Bottas, also 35 and a multiple race winner, has also had a year away from racing after leaving Sauber but is currently Mercedes reserve and attending grands prix.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris)
