Formula 1 Rumor: Cadillac team signs former Audi man Adam Baker

The Cadillac F1 team has reportedly signed Adam Baker (pictured), former Audi Formula Racing chief executive, as the chief operating officer for its new F1 engine factory, according to Cadillac News on X.

The American team, set to join Formula 1 next season as a Ferrari customer team using Scuderia power units through at least 2028, aims to become a full factory F1 team by developing its own powertrain starting in 2029.

To support this ambition, Cadillac will establish an F1 engine facility near General Motors’ Technical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, next year. Baker, tasked with building the team’s engine department, will collaborate with Russ O’Blenes, General Motors’ Performance Power Units CEO, at the Charlotte facility.

It remains uncertain whether Cadillac will design a powertrain for the current regulations, which run through 2030, or prepare for a potential shift to V10 or V8 engines, as discussions about an early regulatory change are reportedly underway.

Given the short timeline, some question the profitability of developing an engine for just two seasons under the current rules. However, Cadillac’s commitment to becoming an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) was a key factor in its acceptance onto the F1 grid.

Baker’s appointment is a significant coup for Cadillac. He previously served as the FIA’s safety director before joining Audi to establish its F1 engine department. Baker parted ways with Audi by mutual consent in May 2025 after Mattia Binotto assumed leadership of the Audi F1 project. His experience and expertise make him a pivotal figure in Cadillac’s quest to compete as a full-fledged F1 manufacturer.