Formula One’s latest entrant, Cadillac, is bracing for a back-of-the-grid debut in 2026 – however staff boss Graeme Lowdon warned that rivals shall be “apoplectic” in the event that they’re crushed by the newcomers.
After years of hypothesis, Cadillac’s long-awaited entry was formally permitted in March, giving the American outfit a full season to arrange for its maiden race in Australia.
Backed by General Motors and partnered with TWG Motorsports, Cadillac will run Ferrari energy models initially whereas working towards growing its personal engines.
The staff will change into the primary new constructor to hitch the grid in a decade, with operations unfold throughout 4 hubs – together with one at Silverstone, dwelling to this weekend’s British Grand Prix, and others in Indiana, North Carolina and Michigan.
Despite the heavyweight backing of GM, British staff principal Lowdon mentioned expectations ought to stay reasonable.
“We have had discussions with our shareholders about what expectations should be, and the easiest way I can describe it to them is: Can you imagine if you have owned a Formula One team for 10 years and another team rocks up and beats you? You would be apoplectic, so annoyed,” Lowdon mentioned. “So it’s a must to assume that any new staff coming in goes to be final. Otherwise, what has gone improper some other place?
“We wish to be as aggressive as we are able to, however we’ve got to be reasonable, too. We see the numbers, and we’re proud of our progress. But we don’t know the place we shall be – aside from if we beat somebody, then they will be indignant.
“There is no real magic to Formula One. It is just very, very difficult. The reason it is so difficult is because everyone is doing the same thing on the same day, and that is something that TWG and GM fully understand. We are partnering with a manufacturer that understands racing. You just tell them the truth.”
Cadillac’s arrival because the eleventh staff on the grid will open up two driver vacancies. Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton’s former teammate, is known to be eager about returning to a full-time seat – he’s at the moment a reserve driver at Mercedes.
Sergio Perez, dropped by Red Bull on the finish of final 12 months, and former Formula Two champion Felipe Drugovich have additionally been linked. Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu, who raced with Alfa Romeo and Sauber throughout three seasons, is one other title within the body.
“Nothing is decided yet,” Lowdon mentioned. “There is a really sturdy argument to say {that a} new staff in its first 12 months of racing would profit vastly from drivers who’re skilled.
“We know who is in the market, and we have got a good idea of what we need, but we are some way off reaching that stage of finalizing our lineup.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com