Ricciardo launches junior driver initiative as Cadillac confirms 2026 race engineers
Daniel Ricciardo has launched a scholarship initiative for young drivers, while the new Cadillac F1 team has named race engineers for Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. In other news, Ferrari is considering a change for Lewis Hamilton's race engineer, Nico Rosberg revealed the timing of his retirement decision, and drivers welcomed the end of the ground-effect car era.
Daniel Ricciardo has announced a new initiative to support young drivers, while Cadillac F1 has finalized its 2026 race engineer lineup for Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. The news roundup also includes Ferrari evaluating Lewis Hamilton's engineer and reflections from Nico Rosberg and drivers on the end of the ground-effect era.
Why it matters:
Ricciardo's post-retirement move to nurture new talent highlights the importance of accessible pathways in motorsport. Simultaneously, the confirmed technical appointments at the new Cadillac team are crucial first steps in building a competitive structure for their 2026 debut, a process every new constructor must navigate.
The details:
- Ricciardo's Junior Initiative: The eight-time Grand Prix winner will help select two drivers from his own series for a Ginetta Junior Scholarship, with the winner receiving a fully funded drive in the 2027 Ginetta Junior Championship—a series that launched Lando Norris's career.
- Cadillac's Engineer Lineup: The new team has appointed Carlo Pasetti, a former Aston Martin performance engineer, as race engineer for Sergio Perez. Valtteri Bottas will be paired with John Howard, who previously served as Pierre Gasly's race engineer at Alpine.
- Ferrari's Evaluation: Team principal Fred Vasseur stated the team is "evaluating all options" regarding Lewis Hamilton's race engineer, Riccardo Adami, following some strained radio communications during the 2025 season.
- Rosberg's Retirement Revelation: Nico Rosberg disclosed that he had decided to retire from F1 before even winning the 2016 title in Abu Dhabi, knowing on the start/finish line that it would be his last race if he became champion.
- Drivers Bid Farewell to Ground-Effect: Both Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz expressed relief at the conclusion of the ground-effect car regulations, with Hamilton having secured only two wins since their introduction in 2022.
The big picture:
These stories collectively paint a picture of transition within the F1 paddock. A veteran driver shifts focus to the future generation, a new team solidifies its foundation, an established team fine-tunes its champion's support system, and drivers look ahead to a new regulatory era. Each move is a strategic piece in the ever-evolving puzzle of Formula 1 competitiveness.