Dec.19 (GMM) Craig Pollock says Cadillac faces a protracted, tough street because it builds a Components 1 crew from scratch – however insists the timing of its entry might hardly be higher.
The previous BAR founder, who led Jacques Villeneuve’s profession and launched British American Racing in 1999, advised La Presse Canadienne that Cadillac is confronting the identical challenges he as soon as did.
“Cadillac is doing what I needed to do,” Pollock mentioned. “You begin from scratch and it’s important to construct the crew. That’s very, very tough.”
BAR famously endured a disastrous debut season in 1999, failing to attain a single level earlier than progressively enhancing. Pollock mentioned expectations should be fastidiously managed this time.
“A crew will not be about placing 400, 500 or 600 individuals collectively,” he defined. “It takes lots of time to construct a crew. It will possibly take three, 5 years.”
He believes Cadillac has realized from historical past, pointing to the appointment of former Marussia boss Graeme Lowdon. “They gained’t make the error we made at the beginning,” Pollock smiled, referring to BAR’s early overconfidence about wins within the first season.
In contrast to BAR, nonetheless, Cadillac will enter throughout a full regulation reset. “That is one hundred pc one of the best time to enter because the eleventh crew,” Pollock careworn, noting that each one rivals are successfully beginning once more underneath the 2026 guidelines.
Pollock additionally backed Cadillac’s selection of skilled drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. “It’s sensible, as a result of they’ve expertise. They will convey their expertise from different groups and assist the engineers make the required adjustments,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, he added: “Each are excellent drivers, however each, in reality, have been at all times second in different groups.”
Turning to Aston Martin’s high-profile hiring of Adrian Newey, Pollock struck a be aware of warning. Having briefly labored with Newey at Williams, he acknowledged the designer is “hyper-competent” – however questioned his new position as crew principal.
“There are by no means any miracles in F1,” Pollock warned. “We’ll see. It’s not simply him, it’s the entire crew round him. Everybody has to work collectively. But when he’s break up in two … that’s one thing I wouldn’t do.”
