Exclusive: Cadillac signal 'bold ambition' to triumph in 'cursed' F1

Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon has outlined that the squad holds a “bold ambition” as it navigates its maiden campaign.

The American squad joined the grid as an 11th team this year, taking on the challenge of building a new team from scratch.

As expected, the team has languished towards the back of the field as it comes to grips with the competitive F1 environment.

However, it has also faced various reliability issues of late, suffering a non-finish at six out of the last seven grands prix.

Despite the challenges, Lowdon expressed pride in what the team has achieved so far.

“The first half of the very first season of Cadillac F1 team has been a big challenge, a very rewarding challenge for everyone involved,” Lowdon exclusively told RacingNews365. 

“It is a huge task to bring a new team into F1. I've said this many times before, F1 is the greatest team game in the world. 

“What makes it really unique is the fact that all of the teams are on the field of play at exactly the same time, so you are measured against the very, very best in the world.

“These are all incredibly experienced teams. The level of competition is incredibly high. In qualifying [at Hungary] we were just a couple of tenths off Williams, and they've been doing this for a very long time.”

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Cadillac has continuously fitted upgrades to its car as the season has progressed, as it looks to lift itself from the bottom of the pecking order.

But Lowdon has conceded that no matter how much it improves, it is only natural to want more.

“In terms of what we've achieved, F1 is cursed with the fact that you can never be happy,” he said. “You always want more. You always want to improve.

“Every single thing that we look at, we know we want to improve in different areas, whether it's in the car, the way it performs, the way we operate our systems, and everything else. 

“But we have to start somewhere. Everybody in the team, personally, I think they've done an exceptional job to be where they are. 

“I know everyone's really proud to carry the Cadillac name, and we want to move the team forward to where we think it can be.”

While the team is still in its infancy, Lowdon insisted the foundations are being laid for a much more competitive position in the future.

“We've said many times before that we have bold ambition for the team, and that's not to be arrogant, but it's to show that we want to bring something new into F1.

“We don't just want to be here to make up the numbers. But we also have a very healthy respect for the challenge ahead, and we know that it takes time. 

“You can't fire a cannon from a canoe, you have to build foundations. You have to build strong foundations, and you know, and that's really what we're doing at the moment.”