Cadillac F1 chief Graeme Lowdon "confident" Ferrari engine is legal

Cadillac Formula 1 team principal Graeme Lowdon has backed the Ferrari engine that the American outfit will use for its upcoming debut in the championship.

The 2026 F1 season brings in a new set of regulations, which include a power unit with a 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power.

While there has been some scrutiny surrounding the Mercedes and Red Bull power units amid rumours  that the teams have found a loophole to get around the compression ratio limit, Lowdon has confirmed that he is confident that the Ferrari engine is completely legal.

"What I'm very confident and happy about is we have a fully legal engine," Lowdon told Sky Sports News when he was asked if he was concerned that the team could be on the back foot if Mercedes and Red Bull have in fact found a loophole.

"With these engines, the combustion is not allowed to take place at a compression ratio above 16:1. Without going into too many details, we know that Ferrari have completely followed the rules where that stands. That gives us a lot of confidence.

"In terms of performance, we work and support our power unit partner to the absolute maximum. We're very happy with the relationship. I can't really talk for other people's power units or how they've interpreted the regulation. But to me, it's extremely clear it's there in black and white."

Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac

Photo by: Cadillac Communications

Lowdon added: "I've worked with Ferrari a number of times before. They're great partners. It's an iconic name in Formula 1 as well. All of the people in that team are real racers as well, and we welcome them into the Cadillac Formula 1 team as well.

"They don't just provide us with a power unit, they provide us with some technical support in terms of people who join the team. It's great to have them on board."