Cadillac’s ambitious F1 project has taken another step forward with the signing of Xavier Marcos Padros, best known for his role as Charles Leclerc’s race engineer during nearly five seasons at Ferrari.
The Spaniard, who briefly contributed to Cadillac’s endurance racing efforts, will now serve as Chief Race Engineer for the team’s debut F1 season.
Marcos Padros brings a wealth of experience to the fledgling American outfit. During his tenure at Ferrari, he played a central role in guiding Leclerc to five Grand Prix victories, cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s top engineering talents.
His early career included stints at HRT and Williams, where he worked closely with Felipe Massa as a performance engineer.
After leaving his role with Leclerc midway through the 2024 season, Marcos Padros remained at Ferrari in various technical positions before moving to Cadillac in January 2025.
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There, he served as Technical Director of the V-Series.R program, overseeing the team’s World Endurance Championship and IMSA efforts.
He was reportedly present at Cadillac’s first TPC test in Imola last month, where Sergio Perez tested a blacked-out Ferrari SF-23 in preparation for the 2026 campaign.
Cadillac’s race engineer roster is also shaping up with experienced talent. Sergio Perez, returning to F1 after a one-year break, will be supported by Carlo Pasetti, formerly of Aston Martin, while Valtteri Bottas will be teaming up with John Howard, a former Alpine engineer.
The team’s supporting driver structure is further bolstered by Simon Pagenaud, the former IndyCar winner, who will contribute in a development and simulator role.
With Marcos Padros at the helm of race engineering, Cadillac is positioning itself as a serious contender, blending top-tier talent from Formula 1 and endurance racing as it prepares for its first season on the grid.
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