As Cadillac prepares to join the world of F1 in 2026, the team is utilizing the simulator to develop their car and the trackside team. The American team have three drivers on their simulators to support their drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Earlier this year, Bottas and Perez announced their return to F1 with the American team. Cadillac has been persistent with preparing for 2026 as they are the first new team since Haas’ 2016 entree. In 2026, the team will use Ferrari engines. Thus, the American team wants to obtain one of Ferrari’s older cars in order to test its mechanics.
During the Singapore GP weekend, Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon spoke about the project to Motorsport.com, stating:
“We’ve been looking at the testing a team can do under the TPC rules [testing of a previous car]. We don’t have a previous car, but also the title is a slightly misnomer, because we don’t actually need to test a car, so it doesn’t really matter.“
Testing the people, not the car
Cadillac’s current simulator team consists of three drivers with different experiences in motorracing. Pietro Fittipaldi remains their only driver with F1 experience, while Simon Pagenaud’s expertise is in IndyCar and Charlie Eastwood in endurance racing. The trio have been involved in the simulations since Barcelona. Recently, the addition of Colton Herta as a development driver for the team was announced.
Lowdon continued on to explain that the team is focused on testing the drivers and people rather than the car. Stating:
“Actually, current team testing is kind of what we’re interested in. We want to use a car, because in all of the simulations that we mentioned, we try and make it as real to life as possible. I think everyone gets a little bit wrongly concerned, that in some way we can get an advantage by testing someone else’s car or something. But we’re not testing the car, we’re testing the people.“
“Yes, we are looking to gain the advantage, but not from anything to do with the car. The advantages that we want is for our mechanics to have the same experience that all the mechanics in this pit lane are having every day working with each car.”
Setting up a team
In order to prepare properly for their first F1 season, Cadillac works hard to make every detail matter. With the rush of an F1 race, every person working in the pitlane has to be fully prepared, not only the drivers.
“You have to get the mechanics used to that muscle memory of operating an F1 car. You have to be able to stick tyre blankets on, and then there’s just the size of a car and the heat that comes off one, and the presence that they have.” Lowdon continued.
“I’ve been through this loop so many times in setting up a team, it’s really important to try and simulate and get as near as you can to everything.”
A loan from Ferrari
The Cadillac F1 team boss mentioned that it would be logical to conclude a deal with their engine supplier, Scuderia Ferrari. Currently, the team wants to form a deal with Ferrari. If they get approval from the FIA to loan an older TPC car, the simulations could be more accurate. The goal would be for the simulations to be as close to F1 racing as possible.
“We’re a [Ferrari] customer, so makes sense. But as I say, we’re not trying to learn anything from the car itself. I really don’t really mind, as long as it’s kind of right size and shape. It’s just there to simulate, so I don’t even care what colour it is.“
“If we borrow a car off somebody, then that team needs to get the FIA to approve that we could use their car. And we involve the FIA in everything we’re doing step-by-step, because we’ve got nothing to hide.” he added.
