Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon knows how massive the challenge he faces is for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Haas were the last team to enter Formula 1, and they scored points on their debut at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix through Romain Grosjean.
Cadillac have a far tougher start to life in F1 when they make their debut 10 years later at the same track.
Starting from next year, Cadillac will use Ferrari power units, but they’re unable to use as many parts from Fred Vasseur’s team as Haas could during their first season.
TEAMENGINERed BullRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)FerrariFerrariMcLarenMercedesMercedesMercedesAston MartinHondaRacing BullsRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)HaasFerrariWilliamsMercedesAlpineMercedesAudiAudiCadillacFerrariF1 engine suppliers for the 2026 season
Not only that, but in the last decade, all 10 teams have made significant steps forward, and the gap between the best and worst manufacturer is minuscule compared to any other era of Formula 1.
Graeme Lowdon is concentrating fully on next year’s car, with Cadillac yet to announce either of their starting drivers for 2026.
Cadillac were immediately on the back foot as they only had their status as an F1 team finally confirmed in March.
It means every other team already had a significant head start, and now, it appears as though one of their targets for 2026 is already likely to be missed.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCadillac unlikely to meet employment target ahead of 2026 Formula 1 debut
F1 have brought forward pre-season testing for 2026, giving Cadillac even less time to perfect their first car.
At their Silverstone base, Cadillac have a countdown to the first race of next year, providing a constant reminder of what they’re working towards.
A report from the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport has shared more details about the team’s preparations.
They suggest that Cadillac currently has around 360 employees working for the team on their new Formula 1 project.
It’s believed that Lowdon wanted between 500 and 600 people through the door before the end of the year, but reaching that figure is now ‘likely’ to be far too optimistic.
It’s believed that F1’s late notice that Cadillac would be on the grid, and the long gardening leave periods that rival teams typically attach to their workers, are causing the issue.
Cadillac are willing to pay a premium to bring in staff members, but a new team can only recruit at a certain rate, and hiring the right people is more important than reaching a certain recruitment target for the sake of it.
READ MORE: Surprise Cadillac F1 target was seen ‘hiding away’ from the press at the team’s launch party
Cadillac still yet to hire a 2026 F1 driver amid Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez interest
Sooner rather than later, Cadillac will have to dip into the F1 driver market for the first time.
It makes sense that Cadillac haven’t rushed to sign someone yet, with several high-profile drivers yet to commit to a seat for 2026.
The uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen and George Russell doesn’t mean either driver is itching to jump into a Cadillac, but the knock-on effect it could have on the market is interesting.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
Yuki Tsunoda has been linked with Cadillac should his Red Bull contract not be renewed, but two far more experienced drivers are waiting to hear if they’ll be making a return to F1 with the American brand.
Sergio Perez could become a Cadillac driver next year, having lost his Red Bull seat last year.
He’s an interesting option given his North American fanbase and vast backing from sponsors.
Cadillac are also keen on Valtteri Bottas, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Lowdon decides to pair the two veterans, or if he’s going to opt for a younger option.