Cadillac announced a major change in its Formula 1 leadership, relieving Graeme Lowdon of his duties as team principal and installing Marcin Budkowski at the helm. The move, described by the organization as part of a "planned leadership transition," comes as the American‑backed outfit struggles to score points in its debut season. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, previously served as the executive director of Alpine before departing the role in 2022. His first race in charge will be the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for 21‑23 August, which marks the resumption of the 2026 championship after a four‑week summer hiatus.
Lowdon had been appointed to lead the Cadillac project in December 2024. During his tenure he oversaw the team's preparation for entry onto the grid, including the recruitment of drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas.
Despite these efforts, Cadillac remains the only team that has not yet earned a World Championship point after the first eleven rounds of competition. Reliability problems have plagued the squad, with nine retirements across Pérez and Bottas and only a single race in the last seven where both cars reached the chequered flag.
Cadillac F1 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." Towriss also expressed gratitude to Lowdon, stating, "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 on Wednesday, Towriss confirmed that the decision to dismiss Lowdon was his alone and that the British executive had been informed only hours before the public announcement.
"It was my decision, it wasn't a mutual decision," Towriss said. He added that the process of evaluating the team's next phase had begun months earlier, focusing on timing, organisational structure and the capabilities of potential successors.
"We were delighted in the conversation with Marcin and how that relationship evolved," Towriss noted, emphasizing that the abruptness of the transition was unavoidable given the high‑pressure environment of Formula 1. Budkowski's résumé includes stints at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA before his four‑year spell with Renault/Alpine.
He described his new role with enthusiasm: "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. 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 leadership shift arrives at a critical juncture for Cadillac. The team has yet to secure its first championship point, a shortfall that has drawn scrutiny from both fans and senior management.
Technical reliability has deteriorated as the season progressed, with frequent mechanical failures undermining the drivers' ability to finish races. By addressing these issues and leveraging Budkowski's extensive experience, Cadillac hopes to accelerate its development curve and become more competitive. The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix will serve as Budkowski's inaugural test of his strategic vision.
The event features a sprint format, adding an extra layer of tactical complexity that will demand swift decision‑making and flawless execution from the newly restructured leadership. Sky Sports will broadcast every session live, and fans can stream the action without a long‑term contract through NOW. Overall, Cadillac's decision to replace Lowdon with Budkowski reflects a broader trend in Formula 1 where new teams seek seasoned executives to fast‑track their progress. While the transition may appear abrupt, the organization believes that decisive action is essential to overcome early‑season challenges and lay the groundwork for future success.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Budkowski can translate his extensive background into tangible performance gains for a team eager to shed its rookie status and contend with the sport's established powerhouses.