The freshly formed Cadillac Formula 1 team has articulated its strategy concerning its role as a Ferrari client.
During its initial trio of Formula 1 campaigns, the General Motors marque chose Ferrari’s power units, given that its proprietary engine development will not be ready until 2029 at the earliest.
This American squad is also utilizing the Scuderia’s transmission system, though it refrained from acquiring the maximum number of components permitted by technical rules.
Pat Symonds, an engineering consultant for the team, humorously referenced Haas, another Ferrari customer and the most recent addition to F1 before Cadillac, which built its operational model around sourcing a greater proportion of customer parts compared to standard practices.
Beyond Ferrari’s power unit and gearbox, Haas’s VF-26 vehicle incorporates suspension components, steering systems, and steering wheels engineered in Maranello.
Symonds stated, “What we’ve potentially approached somewhat uniquely, compared to, for instance, the preceding new entrant, is our strong conviction that we must control our own fate and operate as a full manufacturer team – indeed, we are progressing towards becoming one.”
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
“Therefore, upon examining our vehicle, you’ll observe that we haven’t simply acquired every permissible component. We decided that since we were utilizing the Ferrari engine, we would also incorporate the Ferrari gearbox, yet we refrained from adopting the entire rear section, unlike some others. Our conviction was that we needed to develop our unique gearbox housing, our individual rear suspension, and other related parts.”
He continued, “Consequently, even though various components can still be legally procured, we opted against that path because, as I reiterate, I believe that overseeing your own fate and comprehending the foundational philosophy of your design are absolutely crucial for advancement. It is challenging to enhance a design rooted in another’s philosophy without grasping all its intricate details.”
In parallel, General Motors’ initiative for its F1 power unit, targeting 2029, is advancing, with team CEO Dan Towriss remarking that it is “actually progressing quicker than anticipated.”
Despite the program’s reliance on future engine regulation changes – a matter Cadillac is “attentively monitoring” – Towriss expresses confidence that the novel powertrain can be developed concurrently with the team’s client arrangement with Ferrari.
“Regarding intellectual property, everyone is expected to contribute their own, correct?” the American noted. “Ferrari possesses its own. And, similarly, with the GM Performance power unit division, which is integrated into the Formula 1 team, we are cultivating our proprietary IP. We are fabricating our own engines and introducing our distinct output to the Formula 1 starting grid.”
He concluded, “Therefore, these endeavors will operate entirely independently. We will function as a Ferrari customer team during the period we are constructing our power units, and that particular effort will be a General Motors undertaking.”
