Cadillac announced all three simulator drivers for their new Formula One team. The group includes former Indycar champion Simon Pagenaud, ex-Haas F1 reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi, and Northern Ireland’s Charlie Eastwood.
Eastwood currently drives in the World Endurance Championship. Additionally, he worked with Mercedes F1 as a sim driver, and has won the Le Mans 24-hour race before as well.
Fittipaldi is a well-traveled driver throughout the paddock, having featured on different teams, most recently with Haas F1 as a reserve driver.
A simulator driver does calibration work to help the computer simulate the conditions and characteristics of the tracks. Additionally, they test specific components for performance and provide data to the car designers.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, the team’s full-time drivers, will also be putting in work on the simulator, though the work of sim drivers will help ensure it is performing optimally.
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Eastwood said he was “extremely honored” to take on the role, citing his excitement to help a brand-new team establish itself on the grid.
“I will be able to contribute to their Formula 1 entry by supporting the team through simulator work and development programs leaning on past experiences,” Eastwood said.
“I want to thank Cadillac for the trust they have placed in me, especially at such an important time.”
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As for Fittipaldi, he claims to have been working with the team for “months,” before the announcement came.
“As a sim driver, my teammates and I have carried out extensive testing and full race weekend simulations to prepare for next season,” he said.
“It’s an honour to contribute my experience to a project of this scale and to be part of such an iconic brand as Cadillac.”
Cadillac is rounding out its team for its debut in March at the Australian Grand Prix. They have signed techincal staff, sponsors, drivers, and are now looking full-steam ahead to next season.
It should be a rough campaign next year, but the team should learn quickly with all of the experience they are bringing.
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