Dan Tauriss: I'll be satisfied if we finish eighth.

      The Cadillac F1 project is unusual in many ways, starting with the protracted story of how this team came to Formula 1. Its founders also have their own approach to organizing work, since the team has two bases — one in the state of North Carolina and the other in Silverstone, UK.

      At the same time, a new American base is being built in Fishers, Indiana, which will be large and modern — as befits a factory team of the General Motors group. Its leadership is confident they will be able to establish effective collaboration across the ocean between American and European specialists.

      “I think everyone supports this idea, they believe in what we are trying to build,” Dan Tauriss, who heads the Cadillac project, told Autoweek. “Graham Loudon, Rob White, Pat Symonds and others are very actively involved in what we are creating in the U.S. The two bases are integrated into a single structure; they are not independent units but are simply located in different places…

      Because processes are happening in both the UK and the U.S., this practically gives us the opportunity to extend the working day. We saw this from day one when we were carrying out CFD research involving specialists in Silverstone and Charlotte.

      For now in North Carolina we are operating from a temporary base. But a new one is under construction, and it will be an impressive building. And engine bench testing is taking place around Detroit.”

      Tauriss also said a few words about Colton Herta, who has been signed as a test driver: until recently he was winning races in IndyCar (though not this year), but now he is set to compete in Formula 2 in the hope of earning an FIA super licence.

      “F2 races take place on tracks that are new to him, and they use different tires. It’s his chance to learn a lot and prove that he deserves a place in Formula 1,” the American entrepreneur said. “We are not setting any timelines, but I think Colton will adapt quickly. We’ll see how he performs, and we’ll make all decisions when the time comes.”

      Cadillac F1 will not say which Formula 2 team it is negotiating with over Herta, but according to Autoweek it could be Rodin Motorsport.

      As for the goals for the debut season, Tauriss put them this way: “I will be happy if we finish 8th, beating three teams in the Constructors’ Championship. I understand this is an extremely ambitious statement, but I am expressing my own opinion of what result would please me.

      We know the level we will have to start from. Of course, 2026 is the most suitable year to debut, because everyone will have new chassis and new power units. But so far we have no information on how our car will compare to any other.

      If we’re not talking about specific results, what interests me most is this: what trajectory will the team’s development follow? It’s not only about the level we will be at initially, but about what improvements we can achieve. How will the process of team cohesion proceed? This task will need to be addressed over a long period, and we are not counting on quick victories. It’s important to build an excellent team that can consistently perform at a high level in the long term.”