The Cadillac F1 team just added another familiar face from the sport’s inner circle – and one with deep ties to one of F1’s biggest superstars.
Marc Hynes, former racing driver, long-time Lewis Hamilton associate, and co-founder of driver management firm Equals Management, has officially been confirmed as Cadillac’s Chief Racing Officer as the American manufacturer continues to assemble the leadership spine of its highly anticipated F1 entry.
The appointment signals intent. Cadillac is not merely filling seats in an office; it is building a structure designed to hit the grid with credibility from day one.
From British F3 Battles to the F1 Boardroom
Hynes’ résumé stretches far beyond management titles. Before he became a behind-the-scenes operator, he was a racer himself – and a successful one.
In 1999 he clinched the British Formula 3 championship in a tight duel with Luciano Burti, with a young Jenson Button finishing third. It was an era that now reads like a who’s who of future Formula 1 talent.
His connection to team principal Graeme Lowdon also runs deep. The two worked together during the Manor/Virgin/Marussia years in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship before later becoming business partners and co-owners of Equals Management.
That shared history now forms the backbone of Cadillac’s senior leadership, blending familiarity with ambition.
Hynes’ new remit is expansive. According to Cadillac, he will oversee the alignment of drivers and engineering groups, refine operational processes, and tighten collaboration between the technical and sporting departments – essentially acting as the connective tissue between raw speed and organisational discipline.
He will also take charge of Cadillac’s driver programme, which includes reserve driver Zhou Guanyu, notably one of Equals Management’s clients, and development driver Colton Herta.
Building Culture Before Chasing Lap Time
Hynes framed his move as an opportunity rarely presented in modern Formula 1 – the chance to help shape a team’s DNA from scratch rather than inherit one already set in stone.
“Building a new team in Formula 1 is a rare challenge, and I’m excited to help shape the culture, processes, and performance standards from the very beginning,” the 47-year-old Briton explained.
“We have a strong and diverse driver line-up, and my focus will be on creating the clarity, alignment, and discipline needed to allow everyone – drivers and engineers alike – to perform at their very best.”
©Cadillac
Lowdon, who has seen Hynes operate both as a competitor and collaborator for more than two decades, was equally emphatic about the significance of the hire.
“Marc brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, strategic understanding, and people management to the team,” he said.
“His ability to connect drivers, engineers, and leadership will be critical as we establish ourselves on the grid. As we enter our debut season, having someone of Marc’s calibre guiding our racing operations is a major asset for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.”
Hamilton Ties — and a New Chapter
Hynes’ arrival also carries an unavoidable subplot: his long association with Lewis Hamilton. The Briton played a role in building Hamilton’s Project 44 enterprise and returned as the seven-time world champion’s manager in 2024 ahaed of the latter’s move to Ferrari.
Reports indicate the pair have since parted ways professionally ahead of Hynes’ Cadillac move, closing one chapter just as another begins.
For Cadillac, however, the emphasis is firmly forward-looking. With Lowdon steering the overall operation and Hynes now charged with harmonising the competitive engine room, the American entrant is assembling a leadership team steeped in both racing pedigree and managerial experience.
Read also: Cadillac adds early mileage in Bahrain with 2026 livery debut
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