Cadillac has announced the dismissal of Graeme Lowdon from his role as team principal, installing Marcin Budkowski as his successor in what the organization describes as a "planned leadership transition" for its 2026 Formula 1 campaign. The move marks a significant shift for the American‑backed outfit, which has yet to score a championship point after the first eleven rounds of the season. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, last worked in Formula 1 as the executive director of Alpine, a position he vacated in 2022. His appointment comes at a crucial juncture, with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort slated to be his inaugural race in charge.
The event will kick off the post‑summer‑break portion of the calendar, running from August 21 to 23. Lowdon had been hired as the Cadillac project’s team principal in December 2024. During his tenure he oversaw the construction of the team’s debut car and the recruitment of a driver line‑up featuring Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. Despite these efforts, the squad has struggled to convert participation into points, suffering nine retirements across the first eleven Grands Prix and managing to bring both cars home only once in the last seven races.
Cadillac’s chief executive, Dan Towriss, explained the rationale behind the change: "Marcin’s appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. From the beginning, our goal has not been simply to participate in Formula 1, but to build a next‑generation team capable of competing at the very front. As we enter this new era, Marcin brings exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise and strategic leadership that will strengthen our organisation and help us develop the winning mindset, tools and processes required for long‑term success." While the official statement framed the swap as a pre‑planned transition, there had been no prior indication that Lowdon would be removed before the end of the debut season. Industry observers note that the lack of points is not unexpected for a newcomer, but the team’s reliability record has deteriorated as the year has progressed, prompting senior management to act.
Towriss added a note of appreciation for Lowdon’s contributions: "We’re grateful to Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and the role he played in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build‑up phase, and we thank him for his commitment and wish him well." In a virtual press conference later that Wednesday, Towriss confirmed that the decision to part ways with Lowdon was unilateral and came only hours before the public announcement.
"It was my decision, it wasn’t a mutual decision," he said. "The process started a few months ago to explore what the next phase for Cadillac F1 looks like, the right timing, and how that would be executed." He continued, "We were delighted in the conversation with Marcin and how that relationship evolved. Graeme and I spoke this morning; it’s a very recent conversation.
There’s no easy way to make this transition within Formula 1. Imagine the press if Marcin were simply strolling through the factory or having informal talks – it becomes destabilising. It’s important to respect the leadership that’s in place at that time, so the timeline compresses and the change feels more abrupt than it might otherwise be. But that’s the nature of F1 and the way it had to happen." Budkowski’s résumé includes stints at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA before joining Renault/Alpine, where he spent four years before departing in 2022.
His extensive background gives him a broad perspective on car development, race strategy and organisational leadership. Speaking about his new mandate, Budkowski said: "Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition. This is a phase of huge opportunity for the team, one that will be defined by a clear objective: maximising car development within the cost cap and turning every team function on to compete. That means building an elite organisation with a winning mindset – driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and able to execute with precision on race day." He added, "My focus will be on aligning our people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly, and the performance of the car improves every time we go racing.
It is a privilege to be leading Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on‑track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend." The Dutch Grand Prix will also feature a Sprint race, a format that adds an extra competitive session to the weekend schedule. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. Fans are encouraged to tune in for what promises to be a pivotal weekend for Cadillac as the team seeks to reverse its early‑season fortunes and demonstrate the impact of its new leadership under Budkowski.