Cadillac’s consultant, Pat Symonds, has articulated that the new Formula 1 team aspires to earn the admiration of its more seasoned competitors during its inaugural season.
While the definitive ranking of teams will take time to materialize, Cadillac seems to be in a competitive position. The 107% rule, which haunted team principal Graeme Lowdon’s former outfit, Manor, appears to be a concern of the past.
Instead of imposing strict targets regarding championship standings or point totals—factors beyond their complete control—Cadillac is focusing on establishing itself as a respected entity within the F1 landscape throughout 2026.
“Being numeric about our objectives is quite challenging,” remarked F1 veteran Pat Symonds, following a successful first day of testing in Bahrain where drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez completed 107 laps. “A key priority is to earn the respect of other teams.”
Symonds emphasized the importance of garnering this respect, not only through the performance of their car but through the overall quality of their operations. He expressed satisfaction at receiving positive feedback from rival teams regarding their garage setup and vehicle preparations during the Barcelona event.
He added, “When other teams analyze their spy photos, I hope they will recognize aspects of our car’s design that warrant respect.”
On the other hand, Symonds noted that observing the car designs of other teams during the Barcelona shakedown boosted Cadillac’s confidence in its own design choices, indicating they are on the right path.
“Absolutely, I believe so,” he stated. “Our car features many impressive components. I was pleasantly surprised by the range of details across the cars in Barcelona, which exceeded my expectations. However, we don’t feel out of place in any respect.”
Symonds reassured that Cadillac would adopt an ambitious strategy for in-season development, pledging substantial upgrades for their Ferrari-powered vehicle ahead of the opening race in Melbourne.
“We have a solid development process in place,” he explained when asked about his confidence in Cadillac’s ability to evolve its initial car throughout 2026. “The team’s capabilities are impressive, and we are well aware of our obligations within the budget cap. We’ve already outlined an assertive development plan.”
He concluded, “Fans can expect to see a car that has significant changes by the time we reach Melbourne, much like what will be seen across the paddock. I am quite optimistic about our ability to deliver on these expectations.”
