Following his accident in July 2023 at the INDYCAR race at Mid-Ohio, where he suffered a severe concussion, Simon Pagenaud has successfully transitioned his driving expertise into a new role as one of the official Cadillac Formula 1 Team simulator drivers as the team prepares for its arrival in Formula 1 next year.
With 12 seasons in INDYCAR, a championship title, and victory at the Indianapolis 500 in 2019, Simon brings not only a wealth of racing experience and technical understanding, but also a longstanding relationship with General Motors, Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s mother company, and Cadillac itself. Today, he plays a key role in optimizing the team’s simulator technology, shaping vehicle performance, and contributing to the very first generation of the Cadillac F1 car.
Building the future in the simulator
Over the past year, Simon has been deeply involved in Cadillac’s simulator program, based in Charlotte, USA. His unique combination of technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and driver’s perspective has made him a valuable part of the vehicle performance group.
Here, he focuses on the car’s foundation elements, including aerodynamics, tires, braking systems, energy recovery and deployment, power steering, cockpit and steering ergonomics, and communication structures with race engineers. Each of these areas is critical for translating virtual performance into real-world success.
“Optimizing the technical side of a car and managing relationships with the people in the factory has been my passion ever since I started racing,” says Simon. “I really enjoy talking to the engineers, developing the simulator, and making it as realistic as possible. This work gives me a feeling of being useful and bringing in my expertise, something that was missing somehow since my accident.”
A rare skill set
Modern racing allows for very little on-track testing, making simulator work more important than ever. Few drivers possess both the technical depth and strategic vision to translate simulator data into real-world performance. Simon’s skills put him among that rare group.
“My role and my goal are to make the simulator as close to reality as possible and to set up the foundations of the car,” he explains. “I want to help Cadillac project itself as accurately as possible towards reality.”
“Our work in the simulator in Charlotte is extremely important to building the team. It’s critical on so many levels: consolidating our base performance and aero set-ups, enabling us to be race ready over a Grand Prix weekend, checking systems and protocols, but also establishing clear and effective communication channels between our bases in the US, the UK and – ultimately – trackside. Simon has brought experience and energy to the process and has helped us hugely,” said Cadillac Formula 1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon.
Looking ahead to 2026
By combining his racing experience with a forward-looking technical mindset, Simon has become an essential link between the factory, the engineers, and the team’s future drivers. His contribution not only supports today’s development but also helps the Cadillac Formula 1 Team imagine and prepare for the challenges of entering the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1 in 2026.
