Charlie Eastwood, a Le Mans 24 Hours race victor and former simulator driver for the Mercedes Formula 1 team, has secured a prominent role.
Northern Ireland native Charlie Eastwood has been announced as one of three simulator drivers for Cadillac’s nascent Formula 1 team.
Eastwood, currently competing in the World Endurance Championship, brings a wealth of experience, including a Le Mans 24 Hours victory and previous simulator work with the Mercedes F1 team.
Cadillac, the American manufacturer slated to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026, has already named multiple race winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their primary drivers.
Joining Eastwood in the simulator team are former Indycar champion Simon Pagenaud and ex-Haas F1 reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi, while Indycar race winner Colton Herta will serve as the team’s test driver.
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Simulator drivers play a crucial role within Formula 1 teams, working at the factory to refine car development and assess new components. During race weekends, they provide invaluable support to the race drivers by testing various setups that correlate with the real-world Grand Prix environment.
Eastwood expressed his gratitude, stating he was “extremely honoured” to be involved in the Cadillac F1 project.
“I will contribute to their Formula 1 entry by supporting the team through simulator work and development programs, drawing upon my past experiences,” said Eastwood, 30.
“I extend my thanks to Cadillac for the trust they have placed in me, particularly at such a pivotal moment.”
Eastwood, a factory driver for Corvette (a sister brand to Cadillac under General Motors), currently competes in the World Endurance Championship and recently secured a victory in the LMGT3 class at Fuji.
Furthermore, he achieved a third-place finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, adding to his previous victory in the same race with Aston Martin in 2020.