Checo Pérez faces a major technical issue in Cadillac

Sergio “Checo” Pérez’ return to Formula 1 with Cadillac is proving more challenging than expected. On Friday, during the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 sprint qualifying, the Mexican driver could not hit the track due to a fuel pump failure, a problem he admitted has been ongoing since pre-season testing.

“It was a fuel pump issue. We haven’t been able to fix it, and this has happened many times before,” said Pérez, visibly frustrated. This incident leaves him with a very difficult starting position, as he will start from last place, just behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who is also struggling this weekend.

Threats to the sprint and the Chinese Grand Prix

The technical failure not only prevented Checo from showing his true potential in qualifying but also puts his participation in the sprint and the main race at risk. According to Pérez, the team is working “very hard from the factory” to try to solve the issue, but there is no guarantee of success.

If the problem persists, Cadillac could face a logistical and competitive disaster, leaving its drivers unable to score valuable points. “We had the same problem this morning, so now everything is a race against time,” Pérez said, making it clear that the pressure on the team is enormous.

A history of failures since pre-season

The fuel pump problem is not new for Cadillac. Checo Pérez explained that these issues began during the pre-season tests in Bahrain, and so far, no definitive solution has been found. “We’ve had this kind of problem since pre-season testing, and we haven’t been able to solve it yet,” he added.

This ongoing issue worries experts and fans alike, as a car with recurring failures in critical areas can compromise the entire weekend strategy.

The grid and an uncertain future

For the sprint race, the FIA granted Checo special permission to participate, despite not setting a time in qualifying. He will start last in 22nd position, while Bottas will start 21st. Pole position went to George Russell, followed by Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris, confirming the strong pace of their teams.

Checo Pérez hopes that if the team can fix the issue, he can recover positions during the sprint and prepare for the main race. However, the outlook remains very uncertain, and every minute counts for Cadillac. “We’ll see if we can fix it or not,” Pérez concluded, making it clear that tension in Shanghai is at its peak.

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