F1 hopefuls Andretti Cadillac have announced the recruitment of F1's chief technical officer, Pat Symonds.

"We are pleased to announce that British motor racing technical expert Pat Symonds will join the Andretti Cadillac team in pursuit of entering the FIA Formula One World Championship," said the team in a brief statement.

"Symonds, who most recently served as Chief Technical Officer for Formula One, will officially join the team at the new Silverstone base of operations on completion of his gardening leave at Formula One Management."

Indeed it was only today revealed that Symonds was leaving his post at F1, and while his departure didn't draw the widespread speculation or excitement that Adrian Newey's did, it was appreciated that with his 'inside knowledge' he would make a valuable addition to any of the current teams.

Symonds, who joined F1 in 2017, played a leading role in the rules overhaul of 2022 and since Ross Brawn's departure has virtually taken charge of the overhaul planned for 2026.

While it wasn't known that he clearly had a new role lined up, it was speculated that with the 2026 rules on the verge of being confirmed now was a good time for the Briton to move on.

Having begun his career in junior series, Symonds, who gained a Masters in aerodynamics at Cranfield University, joined Toleman in the early 80s, remaining with the team as it morphed into Benetton and finally Renault.

For a time he was Michael Schumacher's race engineer at Benetton, while also assuming the role of Head of Research and Development. When, Ross Brawn followed Schumacher to Ferrari, Symonds was appointed Technical Director, switching to the role of Executive Director of Engineering when Mike Gascoyne joined the Enstone outfit.

His career in F1 almost ruined by the Crash-gate saga, Symonds returned to F1 in 2013 as a consultant to Virgin Racing. In fact, following Nick Wirth's departure from Virgin, Symonds became de facto technical boss at Virgin however due to his (then) ongoing ban as a result of the Singapore scandal he remained a consultant, even if in name only.

In 2013 he joined Williams as Chief Technical Officer, leaving at the end of 2016 to eventually fulfil the same role at F1.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 23/05/2024 12:20

"One question that needs answers. Did Maffei interject a conversation between Domenicali and Mario in Miami and state, 'Mario, I want to tell you, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Michael never gets a grid slot in F1'.....or words to the same effect? According to one major US news source."

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2. Posted by kenji, 23/05/2024 2:41

"@Dirt...this is exactly what I said some time back. I see it as a blatant shakedown as when examining the comments re rejection nothing else makes sense. If this is coupled with an increase in competition then the pathway taken by Liberty /FOM and the cohort of team supporters becomes clearer."

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3. Posted by Dirt, 21/05/2024 20:27

"@BrightonCorgie - My gut tells me the FOM will stick to their guns and try to deflect until 2028 when they can raise the dilution fee with the new Concorde Agreement. What remains to be seen, though, is whether the US Congressional inquiry, or more likely an EU Anti-Compete investigation, shuts that plan down as anti-competitive behavior. After all, if Andretti can be ready in 2026 (and why wouldn't they if they continue on their current trajectory), the only interest it serves to delay them is all the other teams' interests (read: bank accounts). Follow the money. Always follow the money."

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4. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 21/05/2024 20:00

"@Dirt - This signing all but ensures that Andretti will be on the grid in 2026. What else do they need to do? Sign Verstappen (which could happen at this point)?"

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5. Posted by rnorm, 21/05/2024 18:02

"Stefano Domenicali, FOM and Liberty Media simply need to admit they were wrong and let Andretti/Cadillac on the grid in 2026."

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6. Posted by Dirt, 21/05/2024 17:46

"Another serious statement of intent from Andretti. I'm curious to see where the whole political/legal affair leads, and whether Andretti will, in fact, end up on the grid in 2026 with a customer Alpine engine."

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Symonds joins Andretti

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