Source: USA TODAY Sports/Butch Dill
[Saba Sports News] Andretti-Cadillac Racing Team intends to enter F1 in 2026. Despite having their application to participate rejected by F1 parent company American Liberty Media Group, the Andretti-Cadillac Racing Team remains undeterred and has recently been actively recruiting in preparation for their F1 entry. Notably, former F1 chief technical officer Pat Simmons has joined the Andretti Cadillac team as an executive engineering consultant. It is worth mentioning that the 70-year-old Simmons has spent 6 years working in F1 and made significant contributions to the formulation of the 2022 and 2026 technical regulations. However, as the chassis rules for 2026 were finalized, he decided to depart. After a brief vacation, he will head to the Andretti Cadillac team’s base in Silverstone, UK. Prior to this, Nick Chester, a former colleague of Simmons at Benetton and Renault, had already taken the helm as the technical director of the Andretti Cadillac team’s engineering team. Regarding Simmons’ inclusion, Andretti-Cadillac team CEO Michael Andretti expressed a warm welcome and stated his belief that Simmons possesses exceptional understanding in the areas of aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and Formula One power units. This keen comprehension will enable them to build a competitive team. In the editor’s opinion, the reason Liberty Media Group declined the Andretti-Cadillac team’s entry into F1 was due to concerns about their competitiveness, fearing they would become another Haas team. Consequently, the Andretti-Cadillac team’s ongoing recruitment efforts aim to demonstrate to F1 executives their brand influence.