Cadillac's F1 team faced a staggering 238-to-1 applicant ratio in hiring spree
Cadillac's new Formula 1 project was inundated with over 143,000 job applications for fewer than 600 positions, a 238-to-1 ratio, as it builds its team entirely from scratch for a 2028 debut. The operation highlights the massive undertaking of creating a new constructor in the modern F1 era.
Cadillac has revealed the monumental scale of its Formula 1 team build-up, processing over 143,000 job applications to fill its initial roster. The new American outfit, constructing its operation from the ground up, faced a hiring ratio of 238 applicants for every position as it prepares for its 2028 debut.
Why it matters:
Building an F1 team from scratch is a rare and immense challenge in the modern era. Unlike Audi's takeover of Sauber, Cadillac's approach requires creating every system and process anew, making the recruitment of nearly 600 highly specialized staff the critical first foundation. The overwhelming interest highlights both the prestige of the project and the scale of the operational hurdle.
The details:
- Sheer Volume: By the end of 2025, the team advertised for 595 roles and received 143,265 applications. From that pool, they shortlisted 9,051, interviewed approximately 6,500, and hired just over 520 people.
- Strategic Choice: Team Principal Graeme Lowdon acknowledged the difficulty, stating it's "significantly easier to just go and buy" parts like a rear pushrod, but the team opted to build its own culture and capabilities from the start.
- Technical Scope: The team is designing and manufacturing the entire car except for the power unit, gearbox cassette, tyres, and the standard ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
- Dual-Hub Operation: Growth is split between its headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, and its operations base in Silverstone, UK, creating a complex logistical "jigsaw" of moving personnel while facilities are still under construction.
What's next:
With a headcount nearing 600, the immediate focus is on reaching a baseline of at least 525 staff to be operationally ready for its target debut at the 2028 Australian Grand Prix. The coming years will involve scaling the team further, predominantly in the US, and transitioning from a hiring and building phase to the intensive design and development of its first Formula 1 car.