Xavier Marcos, the former Formula 1 racing engineer for Charles Leclerc, has been named the new Technical Director of Cadillac’s LMDh program, signaling a major shift in the manufacturer’s high-level motor racing ambitions. Marcos brings years of motorsport engineering expertise to Cadillac’s efforts in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA SportsCar Championship.
From F1 to Endurance Racing
Marcos, who served as Leclerc’s race engineer at Scuderia Ferrari from 2019 until the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2024, will now lead engineering, car performance and development of the V-Series race car Cadillac .R. After transitioning to a different role at Ferrari under Frederic Vasseur, Marcos’ move to General Motors marks a significant chapter in his career.
Marcos began his motorsport journey in Formula 1 with stints at HRT and Williams Racing as a performance engineer. He then made the jump to NASCAR, working as Principal Race Engineer for Richard Childress Racing from 2015 to 2017, before his seven-year tenure at Ferrari.
A New Era for the Cadillac LMDh Program
Cadillac’s LMDh program is part of the manufacturer’s efforts to compete at the highest level of endurance racing. The program includes factory supported participations with WHOM in the FIA WEC, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as Wayne Taylor Racing et Action Express Racing en IMSA.
Marcos’ leadership is expected to improve the performance of the V-Series.R, which features a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 engine paired with a Bosch hybrid system. The car represents Cadillac’s commitment to remaining competitive in the highly demanding LMDh category.
Leadership Restructuring at Cadillac
Marcos’ appointment as Technical Director is part of a broader restructuring within Cadillac’s LMDh leadership team. Keely Bosn took on the role of LMDh Program Manager, overseeing the operational aspects of the project. During this time, Sean O’Sheain the new role of Head of Propulsion, will manage the hybrid propulsion system, ensuring that the V-Series.R delivers optimal performance.
The 2025 season begins with 24 Hours of Daytona on January 25-26, marking the start of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Cadillac’s WEC campaign kicks off on February 28 with the 1812 km you Qatarthe first round of the FIA WEC. The team will also aim for glory at 24 Hours of Le Mansone of the most iconic endurance races in motorsport.
The Path to Follow
Marcos’ transition from F1 to endurance racing brings a wealth of technical knowledge and a unique perspective to Cadillac’s LMDh efforts. His experience with elite teams and drivers positions him as a key figure in the manufacturer’s ambitions to dominate the global endurance racing scene.
With Marcos at the helm, Cadillac’s V-Series.R project appears poised to take on the challenges of modern endurance racing while cementing its place among the world’s top competitors.
