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I hope they realize they need a superb chassis as much if not more than a PU. Dont build it, buy it. https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mclaren-proved-former-f1-bosses-completely-wrong/
Why do you even care. If he does well then what. Any driver going there will be developmental feedback for the new team. So experience counts. The problem is they will not be competitive most likely to start with. Better a driver with some experience than the utter unknown of Herta who has no record at all related to F1. I can see Bottas and or Ricci. How about K-Mag.
Oh, you’re right. Nobody here ever expresses an opinion about a driver, team, car, official, etc., etc., etc. Sorry. Carry on.
Now this — Cadillac F1 it appears will not be fielding Daniel Ricciardo in their first F1 line-up, the eight-time race winner giving a clear no. That is the claim made by ESPN, which has learned that Ricciardo sees zero appeal in being the experienced driver competing alongside an American which Cadillac F1 wants for its debut line-up.
How Cadillac's F1 development will now be restricted https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/cadillac-f1-aero-testing-restrictions/ --Cadillac only intends to be an engine customer as an interim solution. General Motors originally targeted a 2028 debut for its engine but now says it will have its own works engine by the end of the decade.--
I'm not sure what that says about F1. Is it amazing that these power units are so advanced that it takes engineers 5+ years to even come close to a competitive engine... or is it bad that it takes serious engineers from GM... who design and build engines for 100 years... 5+ years to build a competitive engine.
Cadillac or whatever this will be called, after naming rights or major sponsor rights are sold to a company, for major space on a car, should just keep the Ferrari PU and save the cash and build a superb CHASSIS! Mclaren did and with Mercedes power were a good team this year and won the WCC. F1 is obsessed with a new PU supplier but they have it with Audi. Given the noise that is negative for Western car makers currently, minimize cost early on and keep the Ferrari PU. Re-evaluate the entire premise of building one. Given they are delaying the new PU till 2030 at the earliest possibly that is now happening?
Unlike Honda (Red Bull), Ferrari, or Ilmor (Mercedes) with decades of experience, GM has never built a F1 hybrid power unit. It's a huge engineering undertaking, and they will start probably from a blank sheet of paper (I hope they already started !!) so 5 years to deliver a competitive power unit seems reasonable. Don't forget it's not only an ICE; 50% of the power will come from a complex electric system. We will see how AUDI, another newcomer with its own PU, will fare when they arrive on the grid next year. Red Bull PowerTrain started a few years back with they own unit for the next formula in 2026, and they admit still having some work to do.
Cadillac (GM) would suffer in the credibility department if they didn't finally bring their own power unit, or at least one they own the IP. Using a Ferrari PU can only be a stop gap. It's not so good for their image in the long term, IMO. McLaren is still a "garagist', like Williams or Haas; garagists usually don't build their own power units. In the opposite, Cadillac is GM, a major car manufacturer, like Mercedes, or Audi, and more is expected from them.
Of course, but it takes similar skill sets to engineer, design, build and develop them; more like different breeds of horses than different species. I’m sure GM is able to poach talent from others or contract to boutique firms if necessary.
I am not saying GM cannot design a F1 PU from scratch, simply that it takes time. 5 years of development seems reasonable; it took about that for Honda to be competitive. Yes, GM (Cadillac) could even follow Mercedes and have a specialist firm design their PU.
Interesting assessment of Herta as a potential for Caddy F1. https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/colton-herta-cadillac-f1-team-best-us-driver-choice/
Based on my experience within GM in the early 90’s everything moves at a glacier’s pace due to internal politics/management. I’m surprised they can get anything done.
GM Performance Power Units company formed to build Cadillac’s post-Ferrari F1 engines The new venture will produce Cadillac’s in-house power unit for F1 beyond its deal with current supplier Ferrari GM’s power unit project will be headed by Russ O’Blenes, who has over 30 years of experience in motorsport. Cadillac outlined that O’Blenes will join “TWG Motorsports and GM’s roster of innovators, creating a world-class technological base for the new Formula 1 team.” Speaking of the news, Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, said: “His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we lay the foundation for Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey. “Together with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they will lead the team in setting new standards of performance and innovation in the sport.” O’Blenes added: “I am truly excited to have the opportunity to build and lead the team that will bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid. “GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”
