Cadillac will use Ferrari energy models for the 2026 and 2027 System 1 seasons earlier than transitioning right into a works workforce with their very own engines in 2028.
The American automaker, set to turn out to be F1’s eleventh workforce, marks Common Motors’ bold entry into the game after taking up the failed Andretti bid. The settlement with Ferrari ensures Cadillac may have aggressive engines as they set up their footing in System 1. This two-year partnership permits GM the time wanted to develop their in-house energy models, that are anticipated to debut in 2028.
Hypothesis about Cadillac’s inaugural driver lineup is already circulating. Mario Andretti, who has been a vocal advocate for the undertaking, envisions pairing a younger American driver with a seasoned veteran. Nevertheless, Ferrari’s involvement within the workforce’s engine provide might open the door for one among their junior drivers to safe a seat, gaining precious F1 expertise in the course of the partnership.
Right here’s a have a look at three Ferrari Driver Academy abilities who may discover their method right into a Cadillac seat within the coming years:
Dino Beganovic
Dino Beganovic has been a standout performer since becoming a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020. The Swedish driver claimed the FRECA title in 2022 earlier than shifting to System 3, the place he secured sixth place within the standings in his debut season with 4 podium finishes. In 2024, he repeated that outcome however added two victories and a pole place to his identify, conserving his championship hopes alive till the ultimate rounds at Monza.
After the F3 season, Dino Beganovic impressed additional by entering into System 2, changing Juan Manuel Correa at DAMS for the ultimate two rounds. Regardless of the restricted preparation, he tailored shortly, scoring factors in each race and incomes a podium end within the Abu Dhabi Dash Race.
Beganovic will race full-time in F2 with Hitech in 2025, aiming to construct on his spectacular momentum. If the 20-year-old delivers one other sturdy season, his mixture of velocity and adaptableness might make him a great candidate for a spot at Cadillac below Ferrari’s steerage.
Tuukka Taponen
With the departure of Valtteri Bottas from Sauber on the finish of 2024, Finland is presently unrepresented on the F1 grid. Nevertheless, Ferrari could have the following Finnish star in Tuukka Taponen. The 18-year-old showcased his potential in 2024 by profitable the System Regional Center East Championship and ending third in FRECA, amassing 9 wins and 16 podiums throughout each sequence.
In 2025, Taponen will step as much as System 3 with ART Grand Prix, marking a big stage in his improvement. Though he has an extended journey forward, his constant performances point out that he might ultimately comply with within the footsteps of Finnish F1 champions like Keke Rosberg and Kimi Räikkönen. If Taponen continues his trajectory and achieves standout ends in the junior classes, he may very well be a powerful contender for an F1 debut by 2027, coinciding with the ultimate yr of Ferrari’s partnership with Cadillac.
Arthur Leclerc
System 1 hasn’t witnessed brothers competing on the identical grid since Michael and Ralf Schumacher raced collectively, a streak that ended when Michael quickly retired in 2006. Cadillac might have an opportunity to rewrite historical past by giving Arthur Leclerc, the youthful brother of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, a possibility to hitch the workforce.
Arthur’s racing journey has intently mirrored his older brother’s, starting along with his entry into the Sauber Academy in 2019 earlier than transitioning to Ferrari’s driver improvement program the next yr. Whereas Charles established himself as a star driver for Ferrari after progressing from Sauber, Arthur has steadily labored his method by means of the junior racing classes and into the realm of System 1 testing.
Arthur achieved a novel milestone in Abu Dhabi when he took half in FP1 alongside Charles, marking the primary occasion in F1 historical past the place brothers participated as teammates throughout a session. This second highlighted his rising presence in Ferrari’s plans, even when his highway to F1 has been much less simple than his brother’s.
The 24-year-old has had a various profession up to now. In System 2, he completed fifteenth within the 2023 standings, however this yr he shifted focus to endurance racing, the place he clinched the Italian GT European Championship within the GT3 class. Whereas his performances in single-seaters have been blended, his adaptability and up to date achievements in GT racing exhibit his skill to compete at a excessive stage.
Arthur’s present function as Ferrari’s improvement driver has additionally offered him with precious expertise in F1 equipment. Common simulator work and on-track mileage are sharpening his expertise, giving him a powerful basis for a possible F1 debut. If Cadillac had been to contemplate him as a driver within the coming seasons, they might capitalize on his rising familiarity with Ferrari-powered automobiles and his growing consolation in high-pressure racing environments.
Ought to this chance come up, it could be a momentous occasion for System 1, not simply due to the historic nature of two brothers racing collectively, but in addition because of the potential for a novel synergy between Ferrari and Cadillac. With continued improvement and mileage, Arthur Leclerc may simply show to be the appropriate candidate to tackle this historic problem.
The Ferrari-Cadillac Synergy
This collaboration between Ferrari and Cadillac not solely offers the American workforce with top-tier energy models for his or her early seasons but in addition presents Ferrari a precious alternative to develop their junior drivers. Ought to Beganovic, Taponen, or one other Ferrari protégé show their value within the junior classes, the partnership might function a launchpad for his or her F1 careers.
Whereas GM’s long-term purpose is to determine Cadillac as a completely impartial works workforce, their preliminary reliance on Ferrari engines might pave the way in which for a mutually useful relationship. For Ferrari, it’s an opportunity to combine their rising stars into System 1, whereas Cadillac positive aspects entry to a pool of younger, aggressive expertise as they construct their future on the grid.
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