Cadillac targets rival respect over results in debut F1 season

Cadillac's new Formula 1 team is prioritizing earning the respect of its established rivals over chasing specific championship points or positions in its debut 2026 season. Executive Engineering Consultant Pat Symonds emphasized this philosophy after the team completed 107 laps on the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain with drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, a solid start that suggests the team is already clear of the backmarker 107% qualifying rule struggles faced by some previous new entrants.

Why it matters:

For a new constructor entering the hyper-competitive world of F1, establishing credibility and operational excellence is a critical first step before tangible results can follow. Setting a goal of respect, rather than an arbitrary points target, focuses the team on long-term growth and integration into the F1 paddock, which is essential for sustainable success against giants like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes.

The details:

• Pat Symonds stated that earning the respect of other teams is a primary objective, extending beyond car performance to the entire operation, including garage layout and preparation.
• The team received compliments from rivals on its operational setup during the Barcelona shakedown, an early validation of its professional approach.
• Symonds noted that analyzing other cars in Barcelona boosted confidence, as Cadillac's design did not appear to have missed any major technical trends, with a "diversity of detail" observed across the grid.
• The team is planning an aggressive in-season development program, with significant upgrades already slated for the first race in Melbourne.

What's next:

Cadillac's immediate focus is executing its development plan and proving its operational mettle throughout the 2026 season. The true test will be how the Ferrari-powered car evolves and whether the team can translate its respectable early showing into consistent performance, laying the groundwork for its loftier long-term ambitions in the seasons to come.