Cadillac F1 Team's Secret Weapon: Simon Pagenaud's Simulator Work
Ford F1 Team has quietly been working on its 2026 car, with Simon Pagenaud playing a crucial role behind the scenes. The French driver, who stepped away from full-time racing after a 2023 crash, has been optimizing the team's simulator for over a year. His work began long before the team announced its drivers or made headlines.
Pagenaud's task is to set up the foundations of the car and improve the simulator's performance. This work is vital for F1 teams to explore new setups and components without real-world testing. His expertise in team dynamics, development, and pushing a car to its limits will be invaluable to Ford F1 Team as they prepare for their first race in five months.
Pagenaud's involvement with the team started even before they confirmed their drivers. He has been working tirelessly to ensure the team's simulator is at its best. The team's head of the simulator department remains unnamed, but it's clear that Pagenaud's role is significant. Driver Sergio Pérez began official simulator work in late September 2025 in Silverstone, indicating an active simulator team, but no individual leader is specified.
Ford F1 Team's first race is just five months away, and Pagenaud's contributions are expected to significantly impact the team's performance. His long-time friendship with the platform and his extensive racing experience make him an asset to the team's development efforts.
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