So finally, Checo Pérez is preparing for his debut with Cadillac in F1, and Bahrain's preseason just wrapped up. Last Friday, the tests ended, and honestly, the numbers don't look very encouraging at first glance: Checo finished tenth with a 1:40.842, almost 9 seconds behind Leclerc, who posted 1:31.992. But here’s the interesting part, the Mexican driver doesn’t seem worried at all.

The tests were spread over two blocks in February (11-13 and 18-20), so Checo had plenty of time to get into the car he will use in 2026. After handing the car over to Bottas, he spoke with the media, and what he said makes sense considering it’s Cadillac’s first year in the category. He mentioned that the car’s balance feels good and that they improved in each session. No drama, just practical observations.

What caught my attention was his perspective on the challenge. Checo was clear: they knew from the start it would be a very tough beginning, but the important thing is how quickly they can develop from here. That sounds like someone who understands the reality of being a new team against McLaren and Red Bull, which have dominated recently.

The strategy the team plans is solid in theory: use the first half of the year to lay the groundwork, get the departments running properly, and then accelerate development. Checo and Bottas have been helpful in identifying improvements, and that’s what they will exploit before Australia, where everything kicks off.

On the last day of testing, Leclerc posted the best times with Ferrari, followed by Norris in McLaren and Verstappen in Red Bull. Mercedes slowed down a bit, while Williams and Aston Martin prioritized reliability over timing. The usual in these preseason finales: validate setups, review tire wear, and fine-tune everything for the first race.

Checo Pérez enters this season with realistic expectations but confidence in what he has seen so far. He’s not the favorite, but he also doesn’t seem defeated. That’s what matters when the championship begins.