News Summary

Cadillac has announced three senior technical appointments as the Formula 1 newcomer continues to build its engineering structure and shifts increasing attention towards 2027.

Former Red Bull chief designer Craig Skinner will become Chief Development Engineer, while Eric Blandin has been appointed Head of Aerodynamics. Tim Lean will join as Chief Engineer – Aerodynamics Modelling and Simulation.

All three are expected to begin working for Cadillac before the end of 2026. The team described the appointments as an important stage in its technical evolution, strengthening leadership across vehicle development and the wider aerodynamic department.

“Today marks another step forward for Cadillac Formula 1 Team, as we announce three senior technical appointments who will join us before the end of 2026,” Cadillac said.

“With championship-winning experience across vehicle development, aerodynamics and modelling, they will add valuable expertise as we continue to grow our technical team.”

Skinner brings two decades of Red Bull experience

Skinner represents one of Cadillac’s most significant technical recruits since entering Formula 1. The British engineer joined Red Bull in 2006 as a computational fluid dynamics engineer and progressed through several senior positions within its aerodynamic structure.

He later served as head of aerodynamics before becoming chief designer in 2022, contributing to the cars that dominated the closing seasons of the previous regulation cycle.

Skinner left Red Bull before the beginning of the 2026 campaign after approximately 20 years with the Milton Keynes operation. His new role places him at the centre of Cadillac’s efforts to improve the development process connecting aerodynamic research, mechanical design and performance on the circuit.

The appointment also follows Cadillac’s unsuccessful attempt to recruit Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan. Red Bull produced a late counteroffer to retain Monaghan, but Cadillac has now secured another senior figure from the organisation.

Blandin takes control of Cadillac aerodynamics

Blandin brings experience from four major Formula 1 teams. He worked at Jaguar and remained with the operation following its transformation into Red Bull, before moving to Ferrari in 2010.

The French engineer joined Mercedes one year later and eventually became chief aerodynamicist during the team’s championship-winning period. He left for Aston Martin in 2022, initially working as deputy technical director before assuming responsibility as aerodynamics director.

Blandin departed Aston Martin in 2026 following the technical restructuring led by Adrian Newey and Enrico Cardile. At Cadillac, he will now lead the aerodynamic department rather than occupy a supporting position inside another established structure.

His recruitment gives Cadillac direct knowledge of the aerodynamic methods used by Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin, although the team must still integrate that experience into its own developing infrastructure.

Lean will support that process by leading aerodynamic modelling and simulation. The position is crucial because it connects computational tools and virtual development with wind-tunnel and track data, helping engineers decide which concepts should receive physical development resources.

Cadillac builds around 2027 programme

The appointments come after a wider leadership restructuring. Cadillac named former Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski as team principal in August, replacing Graeme Lowdon after the opening 11 rounds of the team’s debut season.

Budkowski has identified reliability and more efficient technical decision-making as immediate priorities. He has also explained that Cadillac must balance improvements to its current car against the need to establish a more competitive foundation for 2027.

Sergio Pérez has expressed frustration with the team’s development rate, but Cadillac has increasingly made its 2027 car the priority.

The three appointments address that objective directly. Skinner will reinforce overall vehicle development, Blandin will lead aerodynamics, and Lean will oversee the modelling and simulation tools required to convert concepts into reliable performance.

Cadillac currently operates from several locations, including its principal European base in Silverstone, facilities in the United States and Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne. The team is also constructing a 450,000-square-foot technical headquarters in Fishers, Indiana.

Skinner, Blandin and Lean will all join before the end of the year, allowing their influence to begin during the development of Cadillac’s second Formula 1 car.

F1 today: FAQ

Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?

The race takes place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The entire programme was moved forward, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.

What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?

The Azerbaijan GP starts at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time on Saturday. It will run for 51 laps around the 6.003km Baku City Circuit.

Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Azerbaijan?

Yes. Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81-point lead over George Russell, making him mathematically capable of securing the championship. To become champion, he must leave Azerbaijan at least 75 points ahead.

Who has joined Cadillac’s Formula 1 technical team?

Cadillac has appointed Craig Skinner as Chief Development Engineer, Eric Blandin as Head of Aerodynamics and Tim Lean as Chief Engineer for Aerodynamics Modelling and Simulation.