Sergio Perez’s initial testing days with Cadillac at Imola went smoothly as he returned to driving a Formula 1 car after a year out. With Cadillac lacking a TPC-ready car, he drove an all-black Ferrari SF-23, completing 93 laps on each of the two days, according to Motorsport.com.

The test was conducted as part of Cadillac’s collaboration with Ferrari, whose power unit the American team will use ahead of General Motors’ arrival as an F1 engine supplier.

Perez’s running was observed by Cadillac’s team boss Graeme Lowdon and team manager Peter Crolla, and both days finished without significant issues, including some pit-stop practice. Lowdon stated that Perez “wasn’t even pushing,” noting that the session was focused on training mechanics and learning procedures while continuing scheduled progress.

Fionn McLaughlin’s attempt to win the Macau Grand Prix qualifying race ended with a retirement on the final lap. The Red Bull Junior Team driver suffered mechanical problems in both free-practice sessions, putting him at a disadvantage, but he still secured sixth place in qualifying.

In the race, he made a strong start and quickly advanced to second place, closing in on leader Emanuele Olivieri. His pursuit ended when a small mistake sent him into the barriers, leaving Olivieri to finish unchallenged.

McLaughlin, born on 29 October 2007 in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, recently won the British Formula 4 championship in his first year in single-seaters and is one of the newest drivers recruited to the Red Bull Junior Programme.

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