There’s nothing uncommon a couple of group principal holding a press convention earlier than the beginning of a brand new Components 1 season. However this week, that group principal wasn’t making ready at group to race in Melbourne this weekend.
Graeme Lowdon was named as the primary group principal of the brand new Cadillac F1 group late final yr and began full-time in that function after the ultimate race of 2024. However regardless of being the spokesperson and chief for the primary new group in a decade — and with an thrilling highway forward — you wouldn’t have heard a lot from him previous to March.
Cadillac felt the timing wasn’t proper to go round publicly talking about its deliberate entry in 2026 till it had official affirmation of its place on the grid. Components One Administration (FOM) had introduced in November that it was working in direction of making that occur, and the FIA had already authorized the group as a suitable new entrant, however there have been nonetheless additional assessments that F1 wished to do.
Having accomplished the industrial and technical evaluation it wished in collaboration with Cadillac, F1 and the FIA confirmed the group had met its necessities final Friday, formally approving its place within the sport.
And with that, the group can begin telling its story.
There’s lots to cowl as you possibly can think about, however Lowdon just isn’t upset that Cadillac solely has certainty over its program10 months earlier than it must run a automotive for the primary time.
“For certain, we would favor every little thing a lot earlier, that goes with out saying,” Lowdon stated. “However we’ve revered the method all through. It’s been extremely thorough. That’s one factor I’d spotlight.
“The truth is, I’d say it’s been unprecedented, you realize, when it comes to the extent of scrutiny and so forth. And so we’re very grateful to the FIA and to FOM for finishing up such thorough analysis. However the flip aspect of that’s now for the primary time we’re really away from any restriction in any way and we will act like every other group and time in all fairness brief. However that’s simply a part of the problem, and we simply should rise to it and cope with it and get on with it.
“Would we’ve most well-liked to have affirmation a lot earlier? Sure, after all we’d. However we’ve revered the method and that is the timing that we’ve been given. So, we simply have to maneuver forward and ensure we do the very best job we probably can.”
Cadillac has typically talked about the truth that its work was persevering with apace, even previous to getting any form of affirmation it will be on the grid, and it had to take action in an effort to be prepared for 2026. Lowdon says it’s a on condition that the group have to be on time with its first automotive, and so crash testing has already been going down, with a primary chassis due within the subsequent two weeks.
However should you thought the late affirmation can be offset by a freedom to do no matter it likes as a brand new group not at the moment racing in F1, assume once more.
“By way of the rules that we fall underneath, mainly, we should be underneath the ’26 rules like each different group,” Lowdon stated. “After which there are different rules which we’ve agreed to be underneath this yr, which I believe, once more, is unprecedented. I believe, for instance, when Haas got here in, they weren’t underneath any regulation in any respect till they went racing. However there are specific rules that we’re adhering to both via settlement or in some situations via alternative — via our alternative as effectively.
“So, the entire technique of coming in is completely different from how every other group’s been capable of are available in prior to now.”
Graeme Lowdon has lots to do in a short while as group principal at Cadillac F1. Andy Hone/GettyImages
For a lot of followers, some of the thrilling elements of Cadillac’s arrival would be the addition of two new race seats, and extra alternatives for drivers. That in flip results in a big give attention to who will type the primary driver line-up for the group, with names corresponding to Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Colton Herta all put to Lowdon in his preliminary look.
It’s one other space the place the group should play catch-up, having been unable to be an element within the driver market because it went via a remarkably unstable interval over the previous 12 months.
“I believe when it comes to timing, it’s sort of a little bit bit odd as a result of we’re out of sync with the opposite groups,” he conceded. “We weren’t within the driver market in the course of the sort of pretty crucial final spherical. So sure drivers are tied up for sure durations.
“However there’s nonetheless quite a lot of extraordinarily good expertise round. So I don’t actually see that essentially as a limiting issue. Will we worth expertise? Sure, you possibly can see that from how we’re placing the remainder of the group collectively.
“There’s quite a lot of very skilled individuals throughout the administration and operational aspect of the group as effectively. So, sure, that’s necessary. However like ever, while you’re taking a look at driver choice, there’s only a complete bunch of issues that go into the choice making. It’s potential, functionality, expertise, but in addition trying in direction of the long run as effectively. I do know it’s not the very best reply on the planet as a result of it doesn’t give a steer of which route we could also be entering into. But it surely’s the true reply — which is, that’s just about what we’re analyzing on the minute.”
The evaluation has been ongoing for a while, however the lack of an official entry made it powerful for Cadillac, and potential drivers, to commit. Very similar to Lowdon now with the ability to function in a public capability, he additionally lastly will get to speak with certainty to a listing of potential drivers that he says is at the very least six names lengthy.
“I believe it’s necessary for us to speak to plenty of potential candidates. Will we see skilled, succesful drivers — actually, very proficient drivers — who at the moment aren’t on the grid? Sure, we do.
“We’re going to be fairly busy speaking to a couple individuals. My telephone’s actually been busy, that’s for certain. What’s a little bit bit tough due to the scenario that we’re in as a brand new group, the timeline isn’t as laid out because it usually is.
“It’s usually fairly clear for all of us concerned in driver negotiations. We’re out of sync with these discussions purely due to historical past. However there are simply half a dozen, if no more, candidates on the market who supply extraordinarily good credentials to be in Components 1. Or to be in Components 1 once more.”
Based mostly on the motion proven thus far, F1 and the FIA have now backed Cadillac’s credentials as effectively. Alongside a serious preparation section for the group, now it’s the time for speaking, too.
