F1: Andretti Signs former Formula 1 Technical Chief Pat Symonds

Veteran engineer Pat Symonds has left his role as Formula 1's chief technical officer to join the Andretti Cadillac F1 program as an executive engineering consultant after completing his garden leave.

As part of its bid to join the Formula 1 series, Andretti Cadillac has enlisted Pat Symonds, a former chief technology officer in F1, as its executive engineering consultant. Symonds, 70, will begin his new role after completing an unspecified gardening leave. With a long career as the head of technology at Benetton, Renault, and Williams, and having served on Formula One's technical team since 2017, Symonds brings a wealth of experience to Andretti. Despite his suspension in 2008 due to the Singapore Grand Prix 'Crashgate' scandal, Symonds' ban was later lifted, and he has since reestablished himself as a respected figure in the sport. Andretti's recruitment of Symonds, particularly from the ranks of the organization that previously rejected their entry, is a strategic win that bolsters their public relations efforts. Aside from his optics, Symonds is a valuable asset because of his extensive knowledge, respect, and connections. Once his gardening leave concludes, Symonds will be based at Andretti's new UK facility in Silverstone.

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F1: Andretti and Formula 1 Entry

Andretti Cadillac F1 Team

F1's refusal to accept Andretti's bid to join as an 11th team has caused considerable unrest in the United States. Mario Andretti made an appearance on Capitol Hill last month while other members of Congress sent letters to Formula 1 and its American owner, Liberty Media, citing antitrust rules and requesting an explanation for the denial of Andretti's proposal.

Several senators have formally asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to open an investigation. The House Judiciary Committee's investigation into the matter has also commenced.

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Even though Formula 1 turned him down, Andretti and GM—more especially, the Cadillac brand—kept pushing forward with their programme. Although they hope to join the series in 2026 as a customer team, the team has already declared that they would be running on Cadillac power units starting in 2028.