I have always been interested in making the move into F1®. I think it is the pinnacle of motorsport and, to be honest, F1® Teams have budgets that most commercial manufacturers can only dream of. There is more innovation, better facilities, and increased use of new technology. Add all of that to the competition that drives the sport, and it really is on another level.
For me, that is why we’re all here. I like the fact that results are visible on the track and the work we do feels very outcome focused. I’m not just watching products rolling off a production line. Bikes I worked on in my last job might take three years to come to market. I’ve been here less than a year and I’m already doing stuff that I’ve seen on the car. Designs make it to the wind tunnel by the following week. The speed and impact of my work is completely different here.
The other notable difference is around the culture. I think that F1®, and Cadillac F1® Team in particular, attracts a different kind of person. There’s a dedication to high-performance that comes from every individual in the Team, not just from senior leaders. There’s a recognition that everyone can make an impact, because everything moves quickly and there is never the time for endless rounds of debating decisions.
Alongside the dedication and recognition, there’s an expectation too. The hours can be long, the work is intensive, it isn’t always easy. In the Model Design Team, we’re working closely with the Wind Tunnel Team over in Cologne, Germany. It is constant interaction, designing, rethinking, problem-solving, and using the latest 3D printing technology to create and refine parts. Everything we do is designed to generate the best, most accurate data we can for the Aerodynamicists. Then they can use that data to inform the design of the car that goes onto the track.
What does the future hold?
I think, right now, Cadillac F1® Team feels different compared to the other F1® Teams. We’re growing so quickly, building out our technology infrastructure, our facilities, our all-round capability, knowledge and expertise. It feels like there is a good blend of structure and freedom. We don’t have all the answers yet, but we do have a clear mission, and everyone is playing their part in making that happen. We talk about being One Team and you can really see the Team growing together. It’s exciting to be a part of it.
