Cadillac, the American luxury car brand, has made a significant move in its preparations to enter the world of Formula 1 (F1) racing. According to reports, the company has signed Adam Baker, the former chief executive of Audi’s Formula Racing team, as its new chief operating officer. Baker will be responsible for building Cadillac’s engine department and overseeing the development of its powertrain technology. He will be based at the company’s new F1 engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is set to open next year.
Cadillac is set to enter F1 as a customer team of Ferrari, using the Italian team’s power units until at least 2028. However, the American squad has plans to become a full factory team from 2029, which means it will need to develop its own powertrain technology. Baker’s experience in setting up Audi’s engine department will be invaluable in this regard. His appointment is seen as a key signing for Cadillac, given his expertise and knowledge of the sport.
The move is part of Cadillac’s broader strategy to become a major player in F1. The company has promised to become an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and has committed to developing its own powertrain technology. This has been a key factor in its acceptance onto the grid, despite some uncertainty over the profitability of designing an engine for just two seasons. With the new power unit regulations set to run until 2030, Cadillac will need to decide whether to develop a powertrain for the current regulations or prepare for a potential switch to V10s or V8s.
Baker’s background is impressive, having previously worked as the safety director at the FIA before joining Audi. His experience in setting up the German manufacturer’s engine department will be crucial in helping Cadillac to develop its own powertrain technology. His departure from Audi was reportedly by “mutual consent” after Mattia Binotto took over the team’s F1 project. Overall, Baker’s appointment is a significant coup for Cadillac, and his expertise will be vital in helping the company to achieve its goals in F1.