The 2016 IndyCar Series champion and 2019 Indy 500 winner was brought aboard by General Motors to help shape the Team Chevy IndyCar program. His visits to GM’s Charlotte Technical Center and countless hours in their driver-in-the-loop simulator have been crucial to refining chassis and engine setups for the upcoming season.
What’s newer news is how Pagenaud’s expertise is also fueling GM’s Cadillac Formula 1 program, set to make its debut in 2026. Long before high-profile drivers like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas joined the team, Pagenaud was deep in the simulator working with engineers to test virtual components and solidify the car’s handling and powertrain behavior. His detailed feedback is shaping the foundation of Cadillac’s new F1 challenger.
Pagenaud has transformed his racing acumen into simulator precision, becoming a critical developer and mentor while still recovering from a severe crash in 2023 that ended his full-time driving career. He is passionate about getting as close to reality as possible inside the simulator to provide engineers with the best data and insights.
Cadillac’s team principal Graeme Lowdon praised Pagenaud’s work, highlighting how his experience and energy have been invaluable building performance, teamwork, and communication across multiple continents ahead of the high-stakes F1 launch.
Pagenaud’s transition from track star to simulation and development guru shows a remarkable reinvention. His passion for racing and technical knowledge remain intact, now powering up two of GM’s biggest racing projects. Fans might not see him racing under full throttle anymore, but his impact under the hood and in the simulator is racing’s hidden ace.