With simply twelve months till Cadillac F1 makes its extremely anticipated debut as System 1’s eleventh group in 2026, group principal Graeme Lowdon is radiating quiet confidence.
Chatting with Formula1.com shortly after the Normal Motors-supported outfit was given a proper inexperienced mild by the FIA and F1, Lowdon asserted that preparations for the Silverstone-based outfit are firmly on schedule, with a transparent deal with competitiveness.
Cadillac F1 is subsequently shifting gears because it prepares for a brand new period within the sport.
The American group’s journey thus far has been a marathon of resilience. Cadillac’s F1 aspirations first gained traction with the FIA’s approval in October 2023, solely to hit a wall in January 2024 when System One Administration rejected an preliminary bid led by Andretti International.
Undeterred, the group pressed on, establishing a headquarters in Silverstone and recruiting heavyweights like former F1 CTO Pat Symonds to spearhead growth for the 2026 rules.
The tide turned late in 2024 when Michael Andretti stepped down as Andretti International CEO, paving the way in which for TWG Group’s Dan Towriss to take cost.
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This management shift unlocked the door to the grid, with formal approval now secured. For Lowdon, the main target has shifted from gaining entry to hitting the bottom working.
“When it comes to being able to race, every part is on schedule,” he assured.
Constructing a Aggressive Edge
Lowdon isn’t content material with Cadillac merely exhibiting up – he’s aiming for the rostrum.
“We don’t simply need to flip up and race, we need to be as aggressive as we probably could be,” he declared.
“From that perspective, for positive we might have beloved to have had extra time and extra individuals as a result of the extra of that you’ve got, the extra efficiency you may construct.
“However we recognised that the method itself requires an enormous quantity of vitality and energy.”
Regardless of these constraints, the group has made vital strides, specializing in the nuts and bolts of their 2026 challenger.
“When it comes to timeline for manufacturing, we’re proud of the place that stands,” Lowdon added. “We’ve been utilizing quite a lot of time to date doing quite a lot of testing and validation of particular person parts, issues like testing of noses, squeeze testing of chassis components and the like.”
This behind-the-scenes grind has laid a strong basis, and with formal approval now in hand, the group’s entry to F1’s shared information pool marks a game-changer.
“There’s an terrible lot of labor that has gone on within the background. There’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to do,” Lowdon famous.
“We’re in a considerably higher place now that we’re now a fully-fledged F1 group. We may have entry to all the info and knowledge that every one the opposite groups have.”
Able to Race – and Win
With a sturdy group already in place, Lowdon is optimistic about Cadillac’s trajectory.
“Now we will actually push to provide you with essentially the most aggressive automobile that we will,” he mentioned. “The group is already very sizeable, we’re very comfy concerning the place we’re in, when it comes to being able to go racing in 2026.”
Lowdon’s confidence stems from a mix of strategic hires – like Symonds, whose many years of F1 experience are shaping the automobile – and a relentless work ethic.
Because the 2026 season looms, bringing with it a radical new ruleset for chassis and energy items, Cadillac is poised to capitalize on the reset.
Initially working Ferrari energy items earlier than transitioning to its personal GM-built engines in 2028, the group is constructing not only for survival however for achievement.
The Driver Puzzle
Whereas the automobile takes form, the query of who will drive it stays unanswered – and Lowdon is in no hurry to spill the beans.
Amid hypothesis linking IndyCar standout Colton Herta and different abilities to the seats, he’s retaining his playing cards near his chest.
“There’s some very gifted drivers nonetheless on the market,” mentioned the Brit. “We hadn’t been in a position to be within the driver market till the entry was confirmed. Now it has, we will transfer ahead with that.
“When it comes to timing, we’re not placing any timeline on driver bulletins or something like that however for positive, there will likely be in time.
“For positive we’re going to rent drivers primarily based on benefit. However as such, we see no motive why we gained’t have American drivers in time.
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“There’s nothing stopping a driver being chosen on benefit and being American. I believe that might be one thing that quite a lot of followers would actually need to see as properly.
“On the finish of the day, the Cadillac System 1 Group is predicated within the US. Now we have an operation within the UK, but it surely’s headquartered within the US and it’s a US group as properly.
“I’m pretty positive that hiring on benefit and having a US driver are totally appropriate targets for the group.”
This measured method displays Cadillac’s broader technique: prioritize the automobile, the group, and the method, and the remaining will comply with. For now, the main target stays on engineering a machine able to turning heads in its debut season.
Learn additionally: Cadillac F1 secures its spot on the 2026 grid
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