F1 News: Rob White joins Cadillac F1 team as Chief Operating Officer

Renault Formula 1 veteran Rob White is the latest familiar name to join the Cadillac F1 operation – just as its chances of making the grid have started to ramp up using Ferrari engines for 2026 and 2027 before moving to Cadillac power in 2028.

White has been hired as chief operating officer, and will in effect reprise the role that he had as operations director at Enstone until he abruptly departed the team earlier this year. His appointment comes as F1’s attitude to Andretti’s entry bid has softened, and the way appears to be opening for the team to be allowed in as early as 2026 as a full General Motors works project.

Having started at Andretti this week White has been reunited with many familiar faces from his Renault days, including Pat Symonds (Executive Engineering Consultant, who is still on gardening leave), Nick Chester (Technical Director), Jon Tomlinson (Head of Aerodynamics) and Naoki Tokunaga (Senior Strategic Advisor).

The 59-year-old made his name in the power unit field, having started his career at Cosworth in 1987. He moved up the ranks to become chief F1 engine designer in the Jaguar era. He joined Renault’s engine operation in Viry in 2004, initially contributing to Fernando Alonso’s World Championships in 2005 and 2006. Renault then supplied the engines that powered Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel to four titles in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

White graduated through several senior roles to become Chief Technical Officer – Power Unit. However, the French manufacturer struggled at the start of the turbo era in 2014, amid much criticism from Red Bull boss Christian Horner. In late 2017 White was transferred to a completely different role as operations director at the Enstone race team.

As such, he had oversight of the whole facility, and led update programs such as the construction of a new simulator building. He also ran the internal supply chain and the external procurement of car parts as well as the equipment, goods and services that the operation required.

However, in June he joined a growing list of Enstone veterans who had fallen out of favor, and he was fired.

In his new role he will oversee the development of the fledgling team’s expanding Silverstone facility. “Excited to join the team,” he said. “Massively impressive first impressions of everything accomplished by those who joined before me. Relishing the challenge of all that lies ahead.”

In another recent hire Andretti has a new Human Resources Director in Zoe Mills, who arrives after a four-year spell as Head of Employee Experience at Red Bull Racing. She also previously had a stint at the Mercedes F1 team as cover for an employee who was on maternity leave.