As reported by Autoracer, Somerville is expected to take on a new role at Cadillac after completing an estimated six-month gardening leave. The American giant will make its Formula 1 debut next year as the championship’s eleventh team.

The move has raised a few eyebrows in the paddock, given that the FIA engineer is one of the most well-informed figures in the sport — someone who has been hands-on with the new regulations from their inception, through their development, and right up to their now-almost-final form.

Somerville brings an extensive résumé to the table. He first entered Formula 1 in the late ’90s as an aerodynamicist with Williams, staying there until 2003. He then climbed the ranks at Toyota Motorsport for nearly seven years, eventually becoming deputy head of aerodynamics.

From 2010 to 2011 he worked at Lotus as an Aerodynamics Project Leader, before returning to Williams, where he remained until 2017 as Head of Aerodynamics — a role he later held for Formula 1 itself until 2022.

His move to the FIA came in February 2022, once again in the same capacity. For now, it’s still unclear what position he is expected to take up at Cadillac.

Last week, the Mexican driver returned to the track for the first time since his departure from Red Bull last year, logging valuable mileage at Imola in a TPC test behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-23 — this time in an unusual all-black livery.

Although no specific lap times were released, the Mexican reportedly completed 93 laps on Thursday and another 91 on Friday, all under the eye of Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon and team manager Peter Crolla. Both days are said to have run smoothly, with the team even fitting in some pit-stop practice.