Pat Symonds has formally begun work at Cadillac forward of its proposed entry within the 2026 Formulation One World Championship.
Symonds, who was beforehand Chief Technical Officer at F1, was introduced as Cadillac’s Govt Engineering Advisor final yr, weeks after quitting his earlier function.
At Cadillac Symonds will reunite with a lot of former colleagues together with (Technical Director) Nick Chester and (Chief Working Officer) Rob White, the Briton having been at Enstone within the Benetton days of Michael Schumacher and subsequently Renault, by whom he was finally fired, together with Flavio Briatore, for his or her roles within the notorious Crash-gate saga.
Symonds’ appointment was introduced whereas Michael Andretti was on the helm of the proposed group, nevertheless it was solely after Dan Towriss took management and Andretti stood down that F1 seemed on the brand new outfit extra favourably, unofficially giving it the inexperienced mild for 2026.
Taking to Linkedin, Symonds introduced his arrival at Cadillac whereas giving additional perception to the challenge.
“I’m delighted to announce that as we speak I formally take up my new function at Cadillac as we construct our group to contest the 2026 Formulation 1 World Championship,” he wrote.
“It’s an thrilling problem as, if the 2026 pre-season testing follows the sample of 2014 (after we final had a brand new energy unit), we now have lower than 400 days till the automotive runs.
“Normal Motors (GM) have a protracted motorsport custom,” he continued, “and I keep in mind as a younger boy seeing the Chaparral 2F win the (1967) BOAC 500 at Manufacturers Hatch. Jim Corridor, the person behind Chaparral all the time acknowledged the contribution GM made to that programme.
“Extra just lately by means of their Chevrolet and Cadillac manufacturers they’ve been aggressive in Sports activities Automobile racing along with being an influence unit provider to IndyCar. From Le Mans to Talladega and sports activities automobiles to inventory automobiles, they know find out how to win.
“On the identical time, as the top of motorsports, they totally respect the innovation and excellence required in F1 and what it can take to construct the group to copy the success they’ve loved in different collection.
“Constructing a Formulation 1 automotive is a frightening however properly documented activity,” he admits. “The timelines and gateways are properly established, and the group already has loads of skilled personnel who’ve been designing and creating the automotive for some whereas. Alongside them others have been placing into place the required processes to make sure we are able to adhere to the tight timelines and unwavering high quality required of Formulation 1.
“In parallel to this we’re constructing the infrastructure to assist our problem at our base in Silverstone. Beginning with the proverbial ‘clear sheet of paper’ presents much more alternatives than it does challenges.”
Sadly, the positivity is considerably spoiled by the point out of a facet of latest F1 that can vastly please the powers that be, however do little for the remainder of us.
“The group will probably be constructed round not simply the very best engineering requirements but additionally the very best ESG requirements as we work towards making it the most effective group to work for in Formulation 1,” he claims.
And it was all sounding so good.
