Ferrari sets its sights on 2025, Cadillac partners with the Scuderia and Ford achieves a record-breaking performance

Welcome to Draft Line Digest, your weekly racing newsletter for the latest motorsport news! From the track to the garage and beyond, we’ve got you covered, whether you're a die-hard Formula 1 fan or a rookie regarding anything with four wheels and an engine.

In this issue: The F1 season is over, but Ferrari tops the lap times in Abu Dhabi one final time in 2024. Plus: Cadillac partners with Ferrari, an American car breaks the 7-minute barrier at the Nürburgring for the first time, and we explain what a slide job is. Rev it up and let’s go!

Starting grid

• 🏎️Charles Leclerc Tops Post-Season Tests

• 🇺🇸Cadillac to Use Ferrari-Powered Engines

• ⏱️Ford Mustang Breaks Nurbürgring Barrier

• ⚙️Tech Talk 101 : Slide job

• 🎙️SPEEDY WISDOM

🏎️Charles Leclerc Tops Post-Season Tests

On Tuesday, December 10th, the Formula One circus returned to Abu Dhabi after the season finale last Sunday. Several drivers participated in the post-season test, many driving for their new teams, including Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team), Carlos Sainz (Williams), and both Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick-Sauber).

The event, which ran from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, saw Charles Leclerc finish fastest overall. His former teammate, Spaniard Carlos Sainz, was second, with George Russell securing third place.

Yuki Tsunoda and Frenchman Isack Hadjar took turns behind the wheel of the Red Bull RB20. Both drivers expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to test the car, although their futures remain uncertain as the team continues to resolve the situation with Sergio Pérez, Max Verstappen’s current teammate.

In other news, Rwanda has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 race. The announcement came just hours before the FIA Awards on Friday, November 13th, held in Kigali.

🇺🇸Cadillac to Use Ferrari-Powered Engines

No, you’re not dreaming. The American Formula 1 team Cadillac, backed by General Motors (GM), will use Ferrari engines and gearboxes when it enters Formula 1 in 2026. Cadillac will become the second customer team of Ferrari in the championship, joining Haas F1.

“It’s great to see the commitment of another American team, backed by one of the most highly respected marques in the motor industry, at a time when Formula 1 is increasing in popularity in the United States” said Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal.

Earlier this December, Graeme Lowdon was appointed Team Principal of Cadillac’s Formula 1 project. The agreement to use Ferrari power units is a significant milestone for the new team, which plans to produce its own engines starting in 2028. According to Racer.com, GM is building a power unit facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the goal of having their own engines operational by the end of the decade.

⏱️Ford Mustang Breaks Nurbürgring Barrier

The Green Hell has been conquered by a Ford Mustang! The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD set an impressive lap time of 6:57.685, making it the first American car to break the seven-minute barrier and the fifth fastest among production sports cars.

Boasting 815 horsepower, a supercharged 5.2L V8 engine, and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Mustang GTD represents a new era of performance for Ford.

The lap was completed by Ford factory driver Dirk Müller on August 7, 2024, but the achievement was only announced last week via an official video from the American automaker. This milestone is particularly remarkable considering the Nürburgring’s reputation as one of the toughest tests in motorsport. The 20.8 km (12.9 miles) track features 154 demanding turns, making it a grueling challenge for any car.

Watch the record-breaking performance here⬇️

⚙️Tech Talk 101 : Slide job

On July 1, 2018, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was calling a race for NBCSN (remember the incredible intro starring Blake Shelton?) at Chicagoland Speedway. As Kyle Larson attempted to overtake Kyle Busch, Dale Jr. excitedly shouted the now-iconic phrase, “Slide job!” But what does it mean?

A slide job is a racing maneuver where a driver dives aggressively into a corner to overtake another car, intentionally sliding up the track in front of the car they’re passing. If executed correctly, the overtaking driver not only blocks the racing line but also maintains control as they exit the turn.

This maneuver is most commonly seen on short tracks such as Bristol or Martinsville, where tight corners and close racing create ideal conditions for the move.

Check out examples of slide jobs here⬇️

🎙️SPEEDY WISDOM