With the recent start of the Spanish Grand Prix, around 60 engineers are on standby in the mission control center, closely monitoring the performance of their race cars.
However, this racing car isn’t on the F1 track in Barcelona; it’s in a simulator in Charlotte. The team is divided into two operating rooms, one situated in North Carolina and the other in Silverstone, UK. Cadillac’s racing simulator is incredibly crucial, helping to transform the F1 "phantom team" into a full-fledged competitor by 2026.
Cadillac is undergoing intense racing simulation training, and the reasons are clear. With its entry into F1 under the new season's regulations and no vehicle available for testing yet, the team led by Graeme Lowdon is eager to prepare in every possible way for its debut in March in Melbourne. Facing the formidable challenge from the ten established teams, Cadillac must make the most of every resource at its disposal.
Lowdon mentioned, "The team has a wealth of experience. Our management team boasts a combined total of 2,500 years in F1, but this is their first time collaborating within the Cadillac team." One of the key early appointments for this team is Peter Crolla, who previously worked at Haas and now serves as the racing team manager.
This kind of realistic training involves strictly adhering to a typical race weekend schedule, meaning the simulated driver cannot engage in the engineering team’s daily tasks within specific time frames, including simulated media duties and other trackside responsibilities. Some weekends may also be dedicated to focusing on specific areas of concern. Over time, the team hopes to acquire an older F1 car to begin pit stop training and other garage preparations.
Lowdon added, "This is all about preparing for the race weekend. Some simulation training might not cover the entire race weekend; it could focus only on specific processes and procedures, with some involving the car. Others will be aimed at setting up the entire garage infrastructure and testing all the systems. We hope to piece together all the different elements to make the Melbourne race run more smoothly."
Since May, Cadillac has been conducting racing simulations at nearly every grand prix. With the team spread across different locations, including Silverstone, Charlotte, and the under-construction headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, Lowdon has been continuously adjusting personnel configurations to familiarize everyone with the team’s remote workflows and communication tools. Inspired by NASA's Apollo program, the aim is to create a flat work structure that allows for two-way communication among engineers without relying on hierarchical management.
Lowdon stated, "Each location has dozens of members communicating and operating as a team, but we strive to break the pattern of personnel being confined to specific locations. Some of those working in the UK operations room in Monza will be part of the next operations room in Charlotte, and vice versa."
Lowdon firmly believes that team operations and communication have made significant strides. He noted, “Between Barcelona and Monza, there have been some clear improvements in systems and processes. This shows that what we are doing is valuable.”
"Just like the other significant processes we’ve engaged in, we set up a troubleshooting desk for each task and approached it in a structured manner. We’ve been learning and continuously improving."
Cadillac isn't the first to adopt a multi-location operation model—Racing Bulls also operates out of Faenza and Milton Keynes—but its international characteristics have been ingrained in operations from the very start. With rapid recruitment, the team has swelled to 400 members, posing a significant challenge in establishing teamwork ahead of the new season.
One of Cadillac's trump cards is its ability to leverage General Motors' resources to propel its newly established team forward at an accelerated pace. The team has access to GM's advanced simulators in Charlotte, which have already been utilized for other racing projects, and these simulators have been fitted with customized F1 models.
Lowdon commented, "The facilities at General Motors are truly impressive. They have five driving simulators, which have become a strong platform for launching our F1 project. While we can't tune the cars on the track like other teams, in the end, it all comes down to mathematical calculations."
The list of simulated drivers includes IndyCar and Indy 500 champion Simon Pagenaud, Corvette factory driver Charlie Eastwood, and former F1 driver Pietro Fittipaldi, who has raced for Haas twice. He holds an FIA Super License and is considered a strong backup option for the team.
Lowdon stated, "Simon has performed exceptionally well on the simulator, and we've established a great relationship. Charlie Eastwood is participating in the Corvette project, which feels like a part of our big family. And Pietro brings us valuable F1 experience from Haas."
"We have carefully considered the composition of this team, and I am extremely satisfied. It's not just because of their complementary skills but also their collaborative approach. There isn't a single member who is only fighting for their own interests; each has their own mission."
The next step is to integrate Cadillac's regular drivers, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, into the team for 2026. Pérez has already completed his first simulation training, while Cadillac is still negotiating with Mercedes on when they can allow the Finn to participate in a simulation.
Lowdon stated, "We learned a lot just from this first training session with Checo. Valtteri hasn't participated in the simulation yet, but Mercedes and Toto Wolff are very flexible and cooperative in this regard. We will have further advancements in the future, but for now, we need to focus on other matters."
Cadillac is laser-focused on its internal deadline, with offices counting down to the first engine start in December and the season opener next year. There’s no doubt that Cadillac will face significant challenges in 2026, but Lowdon is confident that the team is making progress and is still on track to meet its timeline.
Lowdon's phone main screen flashes these countdown clocks, prompting him to chuckle as he says, "According to my phone, we have 66 days until ignition. Our progress is right on track, and that's no coincidence. The dedicated teams on both sides have provided us with ample support, and I'm confident in our progress. Melbourne is just the beginning of our journey."
If everything proceeds as planned, do you ever think that Cadillac's goals for launching might lack ambition?
Lowdon nodded, saying: "This is much like the famous quote from Mario Andretti. If you feel comfortable on the Indianapolis track, then you’re not driving fast enough. I get it. There’s no doubt this is a high-pressure activity we’re involved in."
"But F1 is the ultimate team game. We attract the best talent, integrate them into the team, provide them with the energy, guidance, and facilities they need, and trust that they will build everything; then, the results will naturally follow."
