Graeme Lowdon: "Wholesome rivalry" between GM and Ford good for F1 followers

Cadillac Components 1 crew principal Graeme Lowdon says the needle between his crew and Purple Bull companion Ford “provides one other layer of curiosity” to the sequence.

Cadillac is making its long-awaited F1 debut this 12 months as an eleventh enlargement crew, initially becoming a member of as a Ferrari buyer outfit whereas engaged on its in-house energy models within the US. In the meantime, Ford is returning to the sequence as an influence unit companion of Purple Bull, which is producing its personal engines in Milton Keynes with help from the Blue Oval.

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The arrival Normal Motors and Ford in F1 on the similar time brings a long-running US rivalry to a brand new worldwide stage, with Ford having competed towards GM model Chevrolet for many years in NASCAR.

That has already led to executives from each side buying and selling barbs, with Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss dismissing Ford’s contribution to Purple Bull as a “a advertising and marketing take care of very minimal affect,” claims that Ford government chairman Invoice Ford labelled as “patently absurd”.

Talking to Motorsport.com on the latest Autosport Enterprise Change in London, Cadillac crew boss Lowdon felt the long-running rivalry between GM and Ford would add one other layer of curiosity to 2026’s storyline.

When requested if the needle between the 2 US giants was good for the game, he replied: “There’s been a wholesome rivalry between GM and Ford for years and years. They’ve even made a Hollywood film about it. So, it is actual and it is there.

Watch: Graeme Lowdon unique interview at Autosport Enterprise Change London

“We’re taking a really totally different method. GM has possession in our crew, in order that’s fairly a distinct method, so far as I do know, to how Ford are approaching it. However we’ve GM DNA all through the crew as a result of they’re half homeowners.

“I am positive that rivalry will proceed. We have seen many occasions in Components 1, the followers truly wish to see some rivalry, so long as it does not go too far, clearly. So, I believe it is simply one other layer of curiosity in Components 1.”

Cadillac is beginning its F1 journey with Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and Mexico’s Sergio Perez as its race drivers, however it’s investing in a brand-new headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, whereas additionally utilizing different GM amenities in Michigan and North Carolina, together with the corporate’s driver-in-the-loop simulators in Charlotte.

Cadillac is closely leaning into its US id, putting a deal to unveil its definitive 2026 race livery throughout a half-time advert in subsequent week’s Tremendous Bowl. “The Tremendous Bowl factor, I believe it is simply so cool,” Lowdon added.

“We advised everybody after we had been trying to are available as a brand new crew that we wished to deliver new followers together with us on the journey. There are few issues extra American than the Tremendous Bowl. It is such an enormous occasion and it brings collectively sport, music, tradition. And it is a manner of attracting new followers, I believe, as effectively.

“I do not assume another Components 1 crew has accomplished something fairly prefer it previously, so right here we’re simply bringing one thing new. And if it attracts new followers to the game that we love, then it is a good factor. However I simply assume it is so cool as effectively.”

Photographs from Barcelona shakedown

Graeme Lowdon: “Wholesome rivalry” between GM and Ford good for F1 followers