Cadillac’s arrival in Formula 1 took another significant step this week as the American manufacturer conducted its first official on-track programme, placing Sergio Perez behind the wheel of a completely blacked-out Ferrari SF-23. While Ferrari is globally associated with its legendary rosso corsa identity, the sight of a Ferrari chassis dressed in black is not without historical precedent, even if it remains a rarity that often surprises long-time F1 fans.
The symbolic weight of Ferrari’s traditional red livery is deeply rooted in the philosophy of its founder. Enzo Ferrari often expressed the idea that red embodied the spirit of the marque so powerfully that even a child, when imagining a racing car, would instinctively choose that colour. Over the decades, the red Ferrari has become an instantly recognisable icon of Italian motorsport culture.
Yet during Cadillac’s first Testing of Previous Car (TPC) session as a future F1 constructor, that unwritten rule was temporarily set aside. Their technical partnership with Ferrari, who will supply engines from 2026, gave Cadillac access to a 2023-spec car for their engineering familiarisation test at Imola. The resulting all-black SF-23 marked the brand’s first public step into Formula 1 and represented the first full-black Ferrari appearance in nearly three decades.
Michael Schumacher once tested a stealth-black Ferrari long before Cadillac’s 2026 entry
The last time Ferrari’s engineers rolled out a completely dark-liveried chassis was ahead of the 1998 season, when Michael Schumacher tested the Ferrari F300 in an unmarked black finish. The only visible emblem was the traditional yellow prancing horse positioned on the nosecone. The Munich-born driver was returning to the cockpit after the dramatic close of the 1997 season, where his collision with Jacques Villeneuve led to his removal from the championship standings.
Determined to shift the focus back onto performance, Michael Schumacher pushed Ferrari to organise an expedited private test. His influence over the Maranello team extended far beyond driving duties, shaping the internal culture and helping tailor the squad around his working style. That level of trust ensured that when he insisted on an immediate test, Ferrari delivered.
However, the secretive “black Ferrari” outing did not unfold as smoothly as intended. Michael Schumacher completed only two laps before a series of electrical problems forced the session to end prematurely—an omen of the competitive challenge Ferrari would face in 1998. That season would ultimately be defined by McLaren’s resurgence thanks to the arrival of aerodynamic mastermind Adrian Newey, with Mika Hakkinen securing his first world title.
Cadillac explains why running a Ferrari is essential before the 2026 rules revolution
In the run-up to Cadillac’s official TPC running, team principal Graeme Lowdon described why the prospective team needed this early-season test with a previous-generation Ferrari chassis. With Formula 1 preparing for sweeping regulation changes in 2026, Cadillac believes the best way to prepare its personnel is by exposing them to real track operations rather than relying solely on simulations.
Lowdon emphasised that the goal was not to gain a competitive technical advantage from the Ferrari itself but to train the people who will build and run Cadillac’s own future car. He noted that simulations can only go so far, and that real-world operations—pitstop practice, data handling, garage workflow, and communication protocols—are crucial for a team that must rapidly adapt to F1’s unique demands.
To accelerate their staff’s readiness, Cadillac has already been mirroring full Grand Prix weekends behind the scenes. Engineers, strategists, mechanics, and even media and communications teams across their Charlotte and Silverstone facilities have been rehearsing race-weekend scenarios that match the live 2025 F1 calendar. This comprehensive internal programme is designed to ensure that Cadillac arrives on the 2026 grid not as a newcomer scrambling to learn on the job, but as a team already familiar with the pressures and rhythms of Formula 1 competition.
