Cadillac F1 Signs Pietro Fittipaldi as Development Driver Ahead of 2026 Debut

Formula 1’s newest entrant continues to strengthen its lineup with another key addition before its long-awaited debut season.

Cadillac’s push into Formula 1 has taken another step forward as the American outfit confirmed Pietro Fittipaldi will join as a development driver for its debut campaign. The Brazilian, who previously served as Haas’s reserve, is best remembered for stepping in after Romain Grosjean’s fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, completing both the Sakhir and Abu Dhabi rounds that season. Fittipaldi called joining Cadillac an honor, describing the brand as “iconic” in his social media announcement.

Cadillac Continues Its Recruitment Drive

The signing comes amid a flurry of activity for the fledgling team. Just last month, Colton Herta was added as a reserve driver for 2026, while earlier this week, Cadillac brought in Tyler Epp – formerly President of the Miami Grand Prix – to strengthen its commercial operations. These moves highlight how seriously General Motors is approaching its F1 entry, ensuring depth on both the racing and business fronts.

Of course, the headline news remains Cadillac’s full-time driver lineup. Veteran talents Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will lead the charge on the grid, bringing invaluable experience in car development and race strategy. Pérez has already been spotted putting in laps on the simulator, underlining Cadillac’s determination to hit the ground running.

The team has also outlined an extensive testing schedule ahead of the 2026 season. Private running will begin at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26-30, followed by two official sessions at Bahrain in February. The final test runs from February 18-20 before Cadillac faces its first true test: the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8, 2026.

With its driver lineup set, staff recruited, and pre-season plans in place, Cadillac F1 is making a strong statement before even turning a wheel. The addition of Fittipaldi not only adds depth to the team but also underscores the ambition of a project determined to make waves from day one.