The new Cadillac Formula 1 team is still finding its footing in the early stages of the 2026 season, and this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit has presented several challenges.

The team—whose global headquarters is currently under construction in Fishers—ran into reliability issues during the sprint qualifying session on Friday. Driver Sergio Perez was unable to participate after a fuel system problem prevented his car from running during the session. That setback placed Perez at the back of the sprint grid.

Teammate Valtteri Bottas was able to take part in qualifying but struggled to match the pace of the front-running teams, leaving Cadillac near the back of the field heading into the sprint race.

The sprint race itself did not produce points for the new team, which is still in the early stages of development in its first season competing in Formula 1. Teams such as Mercedes and Ferrari dominated the session, with Mercedes driver George Russell taking the sprint victory.

Later qualifying for Sunday’s main race also proved difficult for Cadillac, with both drivers finishing outside the competitive midfield group. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the race, followed by Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

Despite the results so far, Cadillac officials have emphasized that the early races are primarily about gathering data and building reliability for the new car. As a brand-new entry into the sport, the team is expected to face growing pains as engineers and drivers work to refine performance.

The Chinese Grand Prix main race is scheduled for Sunday in Shanghai, 2:00am eastern time in America.  Live television coverage is now on Apple TV subscription service.

For fans in Fishers and across central Indiana, the progress of the Cadillac team carries special interest. General Motors and its racing partners are building the Cadillac Formula 1 team’s headquarters in Fishers, a facility expected to house engineering, technical development, and racing operations as the team expands its presence in the sport.

While the first races of the season have been challenging, the project represents a long-term investment in Formula 1—and a high-profile connection between the global racing series and the growing motorsports footprint in Fishers.