A week before the Formula 1 calendar heads back to Zandvoort, Cadillac delivered an unexpected update on the sport’s summer hiatus by announcing the removal of Graeme Lowdon from his role as team principal. The vacancy was immediately filled by former Alpine director Marcin Budkowski, marking a swift leadership change for the fledgling outfit. The decision was communicated by Cadillac F1 chief executive Dan Towriss, who appeared alongside the newly appointed Budkowski for a press briefing shortly after the announcement. Together they tackled the most pressing questions surrounding the abrupt shift, the team’s reliability woes, and the ongoing speculation about driver line‑up decisions midway through Cadillac’s inaugural campaign.
Although the turnover of team principals has become more common in recent years—every team except Mercedes has swapped its head since the close of 2022—mid‑season exits remain relatively rare when compared with the frequency of managerial changes in sports like football. Consequently, Lowdon’s departure, which had not been hinted at in any prior rumours, caught many observers off‑guard.
The timing was particularly striking because Cadillac were only eleven races into their debut season and had consistently warned that they would likely be fighting at the back of the grid for the year. Towriss explained that the original plan had always included a hand‑over of responsibilities to a new leader as the programme matured.
He admitted, however, that the window for that transition closed earlier than anticipated. “Graeme and I have always talked about a future hand‑over,” the CEO said, adding that the move was his own decision. “There’s a very narrow opportunity to build something fresh and innovative, and I didn’t want to spend time perfecting a concept that was already outdated.” He was quick to stress that the change was not a reaction to the team’s early‑season performance or the typical teething problems that new entrants face.
Instead, Towriss framed the decision as a strategic alignment with the long‑term vision of the ownership group. “It’s about having a clear picture of what we want to create, the pace at which we need to progress, and ensuring that matches the ambitions of our backers,” he said.
Reliability has indeed been a major hurdle for Cadillac. In the seven races preceding the summer break the squad managed only a single event where both cars crossed the finish line. Overheating brakes on the MAC‑26 chassis have been a recurring issue, limiting the team’s ability to extract maximum performance from the upgrades they have introduced. Budkowski, who began his tenure at the factory on the Monday following the announcement, underscored the urgency of addressing these technical setbacks.
“We need to resolve our reliability problems immediately,” he warned. “When the car can’t finish a race, we lose valuable data, and without that data we can’t develop the car effectively.” He acknowledged that a certain amount of failure is inevitable for a brand‑new operation: “It’s a learning curve for everyone involved, and setbacks are part of that learning process in Formula 1.” Nevertheless, he stressed that the team must act swiftly, because continued unreliability would render any development work moot.
Cadillac’s driver line‑up was deliberately built around experience to offset the steep learning curve on the technical side. The team signed former world champion Sergio Perez and seasoned race‑winner Valtteri Bottas, who together bring more than 500 Grand Prix starts and 16 victories. So far, Perez has been the stronger performer, prompting speculation about his future beyond 2026, including rumors linking him to a possible move to Williams if Carlos Sainz were to depart. Towriss dismissed those whispers, affirming his confidence that Perez will remain with Cadillac for the 2027 season.
“Checo has been a tremendous asset,” he said. “He’s driven exceptionally well and we are not distracted by the Williams chatter. Our relationship with him is solid, and we expect to see him piloting our car next year.” The team has also been linked with younger talent, most notably Brazilian rising star Rafael Camara, the reigning Formula 3 champion who is currently third in his debut Formula 2 campaign and enjoys backing from Ferrari.
While Towriss expressed satisfaction with the current veteran duo, he did not rule out the possibility of adding a youthful driver in the future. “It’s an interesting question whether a younger driver could push the team further,” he noted.
“We have two experienced drivers who are delivering, but Formula 1 is fluid and things can change. At the moment, there are no concrete plans for 2027, but we remain open to opportunities.” For Budkowski, the Cadillac role marks his first full‑time F1 appointment since leaving Alpine in early 2022, where he served as executive director.
His résumé includes stints with three other F1 teams, three years heading the FIA’s technical department, and a period at Renault. This blend of team‑side and regulator experience is intended to help Cadillac navigate the sport’s increasingly complex rulebook. When asked how the sport has evolved during his four‑year hiatus from a frontline position, Budkowski highlighted the intensifying competitiveness and professionalism across the grid. “The fight is ruthless,” he observed.
“All teams are highly professional, and the regulations may change, but the game remains the same.” He emphasized that success now hinges on mastering the regulatory environment: “It’s not just about building a faster car; it’s about influencing the regulations in a way that benefits us, while also respecting the sport’s governance.” He also pointed out that the cost‑cap era has eliminated the ability to simply purchase performance, making meticulous attention to detail essential. “You can’t buy your way out of a mistake anymore,” Budkowski said. Towriss reiterated that Cadillac’s ultimate goal is not merely participation but genuine victory. He stressed the need for a dual focus on short‑term fixes—such as the pressing reliability concerns—and long‑term strategic development, including the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
“We aim to build a winning organisation, not just a team that shows up on Sundays,” he declared. “We are far from that point, but it is the end goal for everyone involved.” He added that the sport is undergoing massive regulatory and societal shifts, with AI poised to play a larger role in data analysis, car design, and operational efficiency.
“The teams of the future will look very different,” Towriss predicted. “We must evolve what we have now, improve it in the short term, and also envision what an F1 team will look like in the years to come.” The 2024 season will resume after the summer break with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21‑23, with every session broadcast live on Sky Sports. Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract, canceling at any time.