Cadillac F1 team managing hopes with infinite ambition

Cadillac principal Graeme Lowdon says Formula One’s newest team have limitless ambition, and plenty of funds, but every expectation of being last when they debut next season.

The General Motors brand secured approval in March, after a 764-day entry process, to become the sport’s 11th team and are racing against time to be ready.

Testing starts in Barcelona on Jan. 26, with free practice for the 2026 season-opener in Melbourne on March 6.

No drivers are signed yet, despite regular reports of familiar names set to join and the usual suspects in the frame, but the focus is on more fundamental issues.

A recent tour of the team’s Silverstone facility revealed a quiet sense of purpose, and the deep pockets behind the operation.

Graeme Lowdon

“You will not see this team over-promising in any way,” Lowdon told reporters.

“But we do want to convey the fact that the ambitions are really limitless, as they should be.”

The team are also backed by TWG Global, whose CEO Mark Walter has an estimated net worth of $12.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Walter’s ownership interests include MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, Premier League soccer side Chelsea and a soon to be acquired majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball franchise.

Despite that, there is a long road ahead for a team that will start with Ferrari engines but plan to make their own eventually.

Lowdon, whose US-owned rivals Haas are in their 10th season, said he presents the situation to shareholders with a question: “Can you imagine if you’ve owned a Formula One team for 10 years and then another team rocks up and beats you? You would be apoplectic.

McLaren's British driver Lando Norris (front L) leads at the start of the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring race track in Spielberg, Austria, on Sunday. File/AFP

“You have to assume that any new team coming in is going to be last. Otherwise, what’s gone wrong somewhere else? ... We’re trying to be as competitive as we possibly can but We’re realistic. We know how difficult it is.

“We’re happy with our progress, but we just don’t know. Other than if we beat someone then someone’s going to be angry.”

Cadillac reckon on having 600 people by next season, many recruited from rival teams, and say they are already two thirds of the way there and no longer even the smallest outfit.

Reuters