Cadillac unveils three major F1 technical hires from top teams

Cadillac has announced three major technical hires, pulling experienced personnel from Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren as it builds its Formula 1 team ahead of its 2026 debut.

Why it matters:

For a new F1 entrant, assembling a strong technical leadership is just as important as the car itself. Cadillac is not just filling seats; it is bringing in proven race and championship winners to create a credible foundation from day one.

The Details:

• Craig Skinner joins as chief development engineer after 20 years at Red Bull, where he helped build the team into a championship-winning force. He will provide technical direction across the development process, linking car concept, aero design, analysis and delivery.
• Eric Blandin becomes head of aerodynamics. He previously held senior aero roles at Ferrari and Mercedes, then served as Aston Martin's deputy technical director until the Adrian Newey-led reshuffle in 2025.
• Tim Lean takes on the role of chief engineer for aerodynamics modelling and simulation. He brings a combined 20 years of experience from McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari, and will report to Blandin.

All three will report to chief technical officer Nick Chester, who was one of Cadillac's earliest signings. Team principal Marcin Budkowski called the appointments a "vital step in the technical evolution of the team," adding that they bring "race and championship-winning experience" to areas central to long-term development.

What's next:

Cadillac is on track to join the F1 grid in 2026. With this leadership group in place, the team is steadily building the structure needed to hit the ground running. Further senior appointments are expected as the project continues to take shape.