Cadillac F1 bolsters technical leadership with triple signing
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has moved decisively to accelerate its technical development, securing an elite engineering trio to strengthen its core operations. In a clear signal of intent as the squad prepares for its 2027 sophomore campaign, the US-owned outfit has snapped up Craig Skinner, Eric Blandin, and Tim Lean.
Championship-Winning Expertise Arrives
Leading the charge is Craig Skinner, who joins as Cadillac’s Chief Development Engineer. Skinner, a former Chief Designer at Red Bull, was the architect behind the championship-winning RB19. While rumors suggested a potential move to Alpine, Skinner has instead opted to join the Cadillac project.
Supporting the development structure is Eric Blandin, the former Aston Martin deputy technical chief, who steps in as the Head of Aerodynamics. Reporting to Blandin is Tim Lean, a highly experienced aerodynamicist with a pedigree spanning McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Lean will take on the role of Chief Engineer for Aerodynamics Modelling and Simulation.
Due to the complexities of gardening leave and long-term notice periods, the three engineers are expected to integrate into the team over the next few months.
A Strategic Shift Under New Management
The recruitment drive follows a significant management shake-up. After a respectable debut season with the Ferrari-powered MAC-26, Cadillac management sought to increase its development pace. This led CEO Dan Towriss to replace former manager Graeme Lowdon with former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski during the summer break.
Budkowski’s primary objective is to rectify ongoing operational and build quality issues while leveraging the vast resources of co-owner General Motors.
“These appointments represent a vital step in the technical evolution of the team,” Budkowski stated. “Bringing together experienced leadership across development, aerodynamics and modelling will help us create a stronger integrated technical organization and improve performance on track. Craig, Eric and Tim bring race and championship-winning experience to Cadillac F1 in areas that are central to our long-term development.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
As Cadillac continues to establish its footprint—operating from a new UK headquarters in Silverstone and developing a state-of-the-art base in Fishers, Indiana—these signings indicate a team moving full steam ahead. Despite external scrutiny regarding its ownership group, the focus remains firmly on technical excellence and building a competitive foundation for the years to come.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.