Graeme Lowdon, the principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 team, has acknowledged that the encouraging beginnings of their testing phase have not altered his outlook for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.
The pre-season testing kicked off today in Bahrain following a private shakedown held in Barcelona from January 26 to 30. As Cadillac embarks on its inaugural season in Formula 1, the team utilized this shakedown to evaluate every component available in their garage, now shifting focus to their personalized testing agenda in Bahrain.
No, it’s the hope that always gets you in the end, isn’t it? I’m a Newcastle fan, I know it.
Lowdon humorously remarked when queried about whether the initial testing success had influenced his expectations for the Australian Grand Prix, reinforcing his intention to remain grounded despite early signs of promise.
He stated, “It’s the perfect combination for the task at hand. Like every team in the paddock, we are diligently working through our individual programs.”
Lowdon further elaborated, “The Barcelona session primarily served as a shakedown, which was especially beneficial for a new team like ours. We weren’t just testing the car, but also ensuring that every single item in our garage, from jacks to toolboxes, was ready for action. Nothing had been used prior to this.”
“The shakedown was crucial for establishing a stable foundation. Once we achieve that, we can assess our progress this week and next, concentrating more on operating the vehicle and determining our performance.”
Cadillac’s driver, Valtteri Bottas, was also present during the initial testing phase. Lowdon emphasized the importance of realistic expectations, saying, “We are aware of the challenges ahead. I certainly hope we don’t come across as overly confident, as that is not our mindset. We understand the difficulties we face.”
He added, “That awareness does not prevent us from harboring ambitious goals for the future. Although that future is quite distant, we will keep our focus, maintain our work ethic, and see how far we can progress.”
The first segment of the Bahrain pre-season testing is scheduled from February 11 to 13, followed by the second segment from February 18 to 20, leading up to the Australian Grand Prix set for March 6 to 8.
