Rivalry on the horizon
The 2026 Formula 1 season will see the arrival of two new names on the grid. Audi will enter as the evolution of the current Sauber team, while Cadillac will make its debut as the 11th team in the championship. On track, the two manufacturers are expected to develop a natural rivalry, but that battle has already started off the track in the recruitment market.
According to reports from the German outlet Motorsport Magazin, Cadillac has signed a key figure who only a few months ago was working at Audi. The Australian engineer Adam Baker, who joined the Audi F1 project in 2021, left the German manufacturer last May following an internal reorganization. Now, he will move to lead Cadillac’s technical program.
A pivotal role at Audi
When Baker left earlier this year, Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said: “We would like to thank Adam Baker for his commitment over the past years. He played a decisive role in defining the overall strategic concept for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 and launched the development of the power unit in Neuburg.”
Engine expert for Cadillac
Baker brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked at Cosworth, BMW, and also at the FIA, where he served as Safety Director. At Cadillac, he will take charge of the engine department for the American manufacturer’s new Formula 1 entry. The team will initially use Ferrari engines, but the long-term goal is to develop a General Motors-built power unit.
This recruitment also ties into the wider discussions about Formula 1’s engine future. From 2030 onwards (and possibly earlier), the sport could see a return to V8 engines powered by fully sustainable fuels. Such a shift would greatly simplify the task for General Motors compared to designing a complex hybrid power unit from scratch, positioning Cadillac strongly for the future of Formula 1.
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