The Scuderia Ferrari F1 team is set to make headlines once again, this time not for its results on track but for a truly unique testing session. After almost three decades, the Maranello team will return to action with a Formula 1 car painted entirely in black. But what is the real reason behind this surprising move?
It’s been 28 years since Ferrari last ran a car in such a color scheme. Back in December 1997, the Italian team carried out initial tests with the new car that would go on to compete in the following year’s championship. That model, the Ferrari F300, driven by Michael Schumacher, completed just two and a half laps at the Fiorano Circuit on December 23, during a cold winter day. The prototype was left unpainted and had no sponsor logos, featuring only the iconic Prancing Horse emblem on the nosecone. Now, 28 years later, a “black Ferrari” will be seen again on track, but this time the reason is linked to an unexpected collaboration with Cadillac.
Testing at Fiorano before heading to Imola with Cadillac
According to a report by AutoRacer.it, on November 11 the Ferrari SF-23 will take to the track at Fiorano once again, this time with a driver who regularly works in the simulator, most likely Arthur Leclerc. However, this session has a very specific purpose. The Italian team is preparing the car for an upcoming test in Imola organized jointly with Cadillac, where Sergio Pérez will get behind the wheel.
“We have granted Cadillac two days of testing. It’s an important moment for them, and organizing these sessions is essential to work through all the procedures ahead of next season,” said Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. The goal of today’s Fiorano run is to ensure the car operates flawlessly so that the American manufacturer can complete its own program without technical issues during the upcoming test.
As reported by the Italian outlet, Sergio Pérez has already visited the Maranello factory to complete a seat fitting in preparation for the event. The Mexican driver is expected to return to a Formula 1 cockpit on November 13 and 14 (Thursday and Friday), when he will drive a Ferrari SF-23 that is likely to feature a completely black, sponsor-free livery.
Cadillac and Ferrari: a new partnership on the horizon
This collaboration between the two manufacturers is not a coincidence. Starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season, Cadillac will enter the championship with an engine supplied by Ferrari. The black-liveried SF-23 test car symbolizes the beginning of that technical partnership, designed to support Cadillac’s preparations for its F1 debut.
While the sight of a black Ferrari might seem unusual, it recalls an important part of the team’s history and technical evolution. The last time the Scuderia tested with such a bare car, it marked the dawn of a new era led by Michael Schumacher. This time, it could foreshadow a different kind of innovation—one that connects the prestige of Maranello with a new American venture.
Fans will be eager to see images of the black SF-23 on track in Imola, with many drawing parallels between Ferrari’s rich heritage and its modern role as a key technological player in the future of Formula 1.
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