Photo: Cadillac media.

Ferrari targeted in unusual Cadillac prompted deal to strengthen debut

09:28, 12 Oct

Updated: 10:53, 12 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Cadillac aims to strike a deal with a future F1 rival to assure their mechanics and pit stop crew are as ready as can be for their debut in March 2026.

According to incumbent Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon, the American team is in search of a deal for a car loan so the mechanics and pit stop crew can optimise areas such as their muscle memory when performing a pitstop, and the various processes that teams are required to perform over a race weekend.

Speaking ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Lowdon said to Motorsport.com: "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," Lowdon conceded before disclosing a loophole in the wording of the regulations. "But also the title is a slightly misnomer, because we don't actually need to test a car, so it doesn't really matter."

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss and Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon in Monza - Photo: RacePictures.

Cadillac's objective is for its staff to arrive as ready as can be for the mammoth challenge that lies ahead when they make their debut in the sport in less than half a year's time. Since the American F1 team will be using Ferrari power units next year, Lowdon sees that such a connection could yield the desired outcome.

"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."

Cadillac F1 car render

Should Ferrari not be willing to provide the machinery, Lowdon then reaffirmed his previous statement making emphasis on the benefits of the car loan being restricted only to training, not learning about the car itself.

"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.

"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.

Cadillac recruits top level staff

Cadillac has been taking on the immense task of getting themselves ready for their F1 debut next year, which entails not only the drivers, or the infrastructure, but also the staff itself.

Recently they hired the former President of the Miami Grand Prix and a top level engine engineer who'd been released by Audi.

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