(Motorsport-Total.com) – Cadillac has already had its first taste of Formula 1 in Barcelona and Bahrain. However, the Australian Grand Prix (complete schedule) presents the newcomer with an even greater test. Because unlike during the test drives, the team is now sending two vehicles onto the track at the same time for the first time.
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“Running two cars is not just twice as difficult as one, but four times as difficult,” emphasizes Cadillac advisor Pat Symonds. “There is so much to consider. Continuity is extremely important in a team, and of course we can’t have that here.”
The reason is obvious, as most processes are still being established. “Many people are working together for the first time,” the experienced engineer recalls. “I think they showed a remarkable performance during the winter tests and on the first race day. The team really performed excellently.”
Sergio Perez with “two separate problems”
However, Friday in Melbourne did not go entirely smoothly. Sergio Perez in particular was slowed down by technical difficulties. “No, it wasn’t a sensor in the end,” Symonds refutes the initial suspicion that there had been a sensor problem on the Mexican’s MAC-26.
“We had two separate problems,” the Cadillac advisor adds. “Shortly before the end of the first free practice session, there was a problem with the fuel system. To fix it, we had to remove the battery, which is quite time-consuming. That’s why he was only back out late.”
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But that’s not all: “And then unfortunately there was something completely independent: he had a hydraulic leak that we haven’t analyzed yet,” says the Briton shortly after Perez had rolled to a stop on the track. “We haven’t gotten the car back yet to see exactly what it is.”
Cadillac speaks of a “very successful day”
While Perez experienced a complicated Friday, the day on the other side of the garage was much quieter. “We had a very difficult day with Checo, but with Valtteri, Friday actually went quite normally,” Symonds summarizes.
The first two sessions of the new Formula 1 season were overall satisfactory for Cadillac, even if the times and positions of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas (results here) did not quite meet expectations. Nevertheless, the interim conclusion after the first day in Melbourne is positive.
“We did our job and got the answers we needed,” explains the engineer – a gain in knowledge that counts more for Cadillac than a single fast lap. “Yes, I think it was a very successful day. We are going into tomorrow with significantly more knowledge.”
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