Simon Pagenaud states that his involvement in Cadillac’s Formula 1 program has allowed him to rebuild his life and career after the terrible accident he suffered in 2023 at Mid-Ohio.
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The former IndyCar champion and winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 has not competed since that off-track incident caused by a brake failure, which resulted in several particularly violent rollovers.
Three years later, he still suffers from neurological aftereffects, including dizziness that intensifies when he is tired.
From Superman to a loss of identity
A veteran of IndyCar and IMSA with GM group brands, the French driver was able to bounce back by applying his simulator experience for Chevrolet towards preparing the Cadillac F1 project at General Motors facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina (photo above).
“There were consequences due to the impacts and especially the very rapid rotation of the car, which still causes significant dizziness today,” Pagenaud confirmed.
These aftereffects even complicated his first tests in the Cadillac simulator: “The first day in the simulator was very difficult. I had flashes in front of my eyes, severe migraines, motion sickness, nausea, and even memory loss. But over time, things gradually became clearer.”
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The Frenchman acknowledges that the sudden end of his driving career deeply affected his identity: “Before, I felt like Superman. And when all that disappears, you feel very useless, completely lost.”
Virtual driving
Since then, Cadillac has entrusted him with a major role in developing its Formula 1 car. Pagenaud now regularly works on the simulator to help the American team improve its competitiveness in the discipline: “Today, I drive the simulator and we will continue the development of Cadillac’s Formula 1.”
The Frenchman believes this new mission perfectly suits his qualities: “My specialty has always been the technical aspect, technology, understanding systems and, in a way, management.”
Grateful to Cadillac for giving him this opportunity, Pagenaud concludes: “Being part of this adventure, seeing it grow and having the chance to work on every detail of the car to make it as competitive as possible, I can only say one thing: thank you.”
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