The newly formed Cadillac F1 team is making waves ahead of its 2026 debut by recruiting veteran talent from the Ferrari stable. Xavier Marcos Padros, famously known as the former race engineer for Charles Leclerc, has officially joined the American outfit.
A New Strategic Role
While many fans remember “Xavi” for his years on the Ferrari pit wall—and his viral “we are checking” radio exchanges—he won’t be returning as a direct race engineer for Cadillac’s drivers. Instead, Padros is reportedly taking on a senior leadership role, potentially as Chief Trackside Engineer or Chief Race engineer.
He has already been spotted in Cadillac’s official race simulation and development videos, where he brings crucial experience from high-pressure environments at Ferrari and Williams.
Building a Powerhouse
The recruitment of Padros is part of a wider hiring spree as Cadillac prepares for its entry into the sport. The team has already confirmed its engineering lineup for its drivers:
- Valtteri Bottas will be paired with John Howard (formerly of Alpine).
- Sergio Perez will work with Carlo Pasetti (formerly of Aston Martin).
Why the Move Matters
For Padros, the move to Cadillac represents a fresh start away from the intense organizational structure of Ferrari. Insiders suggest his deep technical knowledge of current F1 systems will be invaluable for Cadillac as they build their operation from the ground up.
While some paddock critics have pointed to the “Ferrari struggles” during his tenure, many believe a leadership role in a new, ambitious team is exactly where Padros will thrive, bringing “bad experience” (the lessons learned from mistakes) to ensure the American team avoids the same pitfalls.
Cadillac’s Key Hires: At a Glance
- The Hire: Xavier Marcos Padros (Ex-Ferrari).
- The Role: Senior engineering leadership/Chief Trackside Engineer.
- The Goal: Providing technical stability and simulation data for the 2026 entry.
- The Support Team: Joining veteran engineers from Alpine and Aston Martin.
Can Cadillac’s “All-Star” engineering team take the fight to the front of the grid in 2026? Share your predictions below!
F1 Stats Last Updated: March 29, 2026 | All statistics, lap times, and driver comparisons on this page reflect the most current data available from the official F1 sources. And updated till the last race which happened in 29th March 2026