Pietro Fittipaldi announced as Cadillac development driver for 2026 Formula 1 car. Pietro Fittipaldi has joined Cadillac as a development driver.

Official: Pietro Fittipaldi joins Cadillac as “sim driver”

Pietro Fittipaldi has officially confirmed his involvement with Cadillac, taking on a key role as a development driver for the team’s upcoming 2026 Formula 1 car. Over the past few months, Fittipaldi has been actively working on the simulator, contributing to the preparation and refinement of the car alongside teammates Simon Pagenaud and Charlie Eastwood.

Fittipaldi becomes part of Cadillac’s historic F1 project

Following in the footsteps of legendary racing names, Pietro Fittipaldi has joined Cadillac’s ambitious Formula 1 project, adding another notable family name to the sport. The Brazilian driver has two Grand Prix appearances with Haas on his record, stepping in for the injured Romain Grosjean in the final races of the 2020 season. Since then, he has gained extensive experience in both Endurance racing and IndyCar, while maintaining connections to Formula 1 through occasional test sessions.

The announcement

Fittipaldi shared his excitement about the new role, stating that over the past months he has been heavily involved in simulator sessions and full Grand Prix testing for the 2026 car. He emphasized the honor of being part of an iconic brand like Cadillac, underlining the importance of the simulator work in shaping the team’s competitive edge for its F1 debut.

“In recent months, I have worked with the development team on the 2026 car through simulator sessions and complete GP tests. It’s a privilege to be part of an iconic brand like Cadillac,” Fittipaldi said.

Cadillac’s 2026 F1 lineup

This collaboration forms a crucial part of Cadillac’s preparations for its official Formula 1 entry in 2026. The team has already announced a highly experienced driver lineup with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez set to race in the car on the grid. Meanwhile, Colton Herta will serve as a test driver, although he has not yet accumulated the necessary points for a Super License.

Fittipaldi’s involvement emphasizes Cadillac’s commitment to blending experienced talent with innovative development strategies. His simulator work is expected to play a significant role in ensuring the team is fully prepared for the challenges of its inaugural season in Formula 1, helping to optimize performance and refine the car before its debut on the track.