In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, Cadillac has elevated Xavier Marcos Padros, the former race engineer for Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc, to a pivotal position within its burgeoning F1 team. This strategic promotion comes on the heels of Padros’s brief tenure with Cadillac’s endurance racing squads and marks a significant step as the American manufacturer gears up for its highly anticipated debut in F1.
Xavier Marcos Padros, who made headlines when he departed Ferrari midway through the 2024 season, will now take the reins as Chief Race Engineer for Cadillac’s inaugural season. This is not just another role; it’s a testament to his impressive track record, having contributed to five Grand Prix victories during his collaboration with Leclerc at Scuderia Ferrari. His expertise could prove invaluable as Cadillac seeks to make its mark in one of the most competitive racing arenas in the world.
Before his time at Ferrari, Padros honed his skills at Spanish team HRT and later at Williams, where he served as performance engineer for the seasoned Felipe Massa. His career took an unexpected turn after the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, when he was replaced by Bryan Bozzi in his role with Leclerc and subsequently shuffled into various positions within Ferrari. However, he found a new home in January of this year, joining Cadillac as the Technical Director of the V-Series.R program, overseeing its operations in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA series.
Cadillac’s preparations for its F1 debut are already in full swing, having conducted a crucial TPC test at Imola last month. Reports indicate that Padros was present during this pivotal moment, which featured Sergio Perez behind the wheel of a blacked-out Ferrari SF-23, a move shrouded in intrigue as the team gears up for its 2026 launch.
Adding to the excitement, Perez will be paired with Carlo Pasetti as his race engineer, who brings experience from Aston Martin, marking Perez’s return to F1 after a year away. Meanwhile, veteran Valtteri Bottas, who also took a hiatus in 2025 as Mercedes’ reserve driver, will collaborate with John Howard, a former Alpine engineer.
The team is further bolstered by a robust lineup of supporting personnel, including IndyCar champion Simon Pagenaud in a development and simulator role, and rising star Colton Herta as a reserve driver. Herta is not only preparing for his future in F1 but is also competing in Formula 2 to secure the necessary Super Licence points for a potential race seat.
As Cadillac accelerates towards its F1 debut, the most ardent racing enthusiasts are left eagerly anticipating how this new chapter will unfold, especially with a team led by talented individuals like Padros. The stakes are high, and the world will be watching closely as Cadillac revs up for a bold entry into the fast-paced world of Formula 1.
