Cadillac has strengthened its technical team with three significant hires as it prepares for its full Formula 1® campaign in 2027. The additions include Craig Skinner, the former Red Bull chief designer behind the RB19, along with Eric Blandin from Aston Martin and Tim Lean, who has experience across McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari.
Craig Skinner joins Cadillac as chief development engineer, bringing his expertise from Red Bull where he played a key role in designing their championship-winning car. Eric Blandin takes on the role of head of aerodynamics, while Tim Lean has been appointed Chief Engineer for Aerodynamics Modelling and Simulation, reporting directly to Blandin. These appointments are part of Cadillac’s strategy to accelerate technical progress and enhance competitiveness on track for the 2027 season.
Cadillac entered the Formula 1® grid in 2026 as the 11th team, fielding Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers and running Ferrari power units. The team has also undergone leadership changes, with Marcin Budkowski replacing Graeme Lowdon as team principal during the summer break of 2026. Budkowski’s appointment aims to strengthen operations and better utilise the resources of General Motors, Cadillac’s parent company.
Alongside the personnel changes, Cadillac has established a new base in the UK at Silverstone and is developing a state-of-the-art facility in Fishers, Indiana. These infrastructure investments underline the team’s commitment to building a competitive presence in the sport. Despite some uncertainties around ownership linked to Mark Walter and TWG Global, Cadillac continues to push forward with its technical and operational growth.
The recruitment of Skinner, Blandin, and Lean reflects Cadillac’s focus on bringing experienced technical leadership to support its development programme. Skinner’s role as chief development engineer will be crucial in shaping the car’s evolution, while Blandin and Lean’s aerodynamic expertise is expected to contribute to refining the car’s performance through modelling and simulation work.
While these moves signal Cadillac’s intent to improve its standing in Formula 1®, no specific performance outcomes or championship prospects have been claimed. The team remains in the early stages of its journey in the category, with the 2027 season set to be a key period for assessing the impact of these technical enhancements.