Cadillac fined twice as Perez clocked at 96.7km/h in Madrid pitlane during FP1

Cadillac have been handed two financial penalties after Sergio Perez was caught speeding in the pitlane on separate occasions during first free practice at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

FIA stewards found the Mexican driver in breach of Article B1.6.3a.i of the F1 regulations, which mandates a maximum pitlane speed of 80km/h. The first infringement, recorded at 86.7km/h — 6.7km/h over the limit — resulted in a €700 fine. The second offence drew a heavier €1,000 penalty after Perez was clocked at 96.7km/h, exceeding the limit by 16.7km/h.

The double fine adds to a turbulent debut season for the American outfit. Cadillac have been hampered by significant reliability problems since joining the grid, and both drivers sit at the foot of the standings — Perez 23rd and team-mate Valtteri Bottas 22nd — with neither having scored a point. Perez finished FP1 21st fastest, one place ahead of Bottas.

FP1 also served as the first on-track introduction to the Madring circuit for the entire field. The venue, built around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre and the Valdebebas district, uses a semi-street circuit layout that blends tight technical sections with high-speed straights and a banked sweeping curve known as “La Monumental”.

Prior to the session, Perez offered an early impression of the track based on simulator work. “The track itself is a proper race track, from what I’ve seen,” he said. “I haven’t been on the circuit yet, but from what I’ve seen on the simulator, it’s a proper track. It’s a bit scary, I’ll say. It reminds me a bit of Jeddah. Good, proper track, really happy to be here, and I think the atmosphere here is going to be one of the best.”