Cadillac announced the termination of Graeme Lowdon's contract as team principal and confirmed that Marcin Budkowski will step into the position, describing the move as part of a "planned leadership transition" that the organisation has been preparing for since its entry into Formula 1 in 2026. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, previously served as executive director at Alpine before departing the team in 2022.
His appointment comes at a challenging moment for Cadillac, which remains the only newcomer on the 2026 grid that has yet to score a championship point after the first eleven races. The Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for August 21‑23, will mark Budkowski's debut as the head of the Cadillac operation. The race weekend follows a four‑week summer hiatus and will be contested at Zandvoort, providing the new principal with an immediate test of his leadership under race conditions. Cadillac entered the sport with a high‑profile driver lineup featuring former world champion Sergio Perez and experienced Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas, but technical reliability has hampered their progress.
To date, the team has endured nine retirements across the two cars and has only managed to see both machines cross the finish line at the chequered flag on a single occasion in the last seven events. Team chief executive Dan Towriss praised Budkowski's extensive background, noting that his experience spans several top‑tier outfits, including Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and a stint with the FIA, before his four‑year tenure at Renault/Alpine. "Marcin's appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team," Towriss said in a press release. "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 change as a pre‑planned succession, there were no prior hints that Lowdon would be removed before the conclusion of Cadillac's inaugural season. Lowdon had been appointed to lead the project in December 2024 and oversaw the team's preparation for its debut, including the assembly of the driver pairing and the construction of the car under the American brand's umbrella. In a virtual press conference held shortly after the announcement, Towriss confirmed that the decision to dismiss Lowdon was unilateral and that the British executive had been informed only hours before the public statement.
"It was my decision, it wasn't a mutual decision," Towriss explained. "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." Towriss also reflected on Lowdon's contributions, 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." The abrupt nature of the transition, however, raised questions about stability within the organization. Towriss admitted that making such a change during an active season is inherently disruptive, especially when the incoming leader is already a public figure within the sport. "Can you imagine the press if Marcin was strolling through for a tour of the factory, or having these conversations? It becomes destabilising at that point.
It's important to respect the leadership that's in place at that time, so it does compress the timeline in how these things come together," he said. Budkowski addressed the media shortly after his appointment, emphasizing the ambition and potential of the Cadillac program.
"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," he said.
He outlined a vision centered on building an elite organisation with a "winning mindset"—a culture that remains driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and capable of precise execution 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," Budkowski added. The broader context of Cadillac's 2026 campaign underscores the steep learning curve faced by new entrants.
The team has struggled with reliability, as evidenced by a pattern of mechanical failures that have forced early retirements for both drivers. Despite these setbacks, the organization remains committed to the long‑term goal of competing at the front of the grid.
The 2026 season introduces a new set of technical regulations and a cost cap, which Budkowski believes can be leveraged to close the performance gap if the team can optimise its development processes. Looking ahead, the Dutch Grand Prix will serve as a litmus test for Budkowski's leadership and the team's ability to translate strategic changes into on‑track results.
With the Sprint format adding an extra competitive element over the weekend, Cadillac will have multiple opportunities to showcase any improvements in reliability and pace. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the leadership shuffle can accelerate the team's progress or whether deeper technical challenges will continue to hinder its ascent. In summary, Cadillac's decision to replace Graeme Lowdon with Marcin Budkowski reflects a decisive move to reshape the team's strategic direction amid a difficult first season.
While the timing appears abrupt, the organization hopes that Budkowski's extensive experience and clear vision will galvanise the staff, improve the car's performance within the constraints of the new regulations, and ultimately deliver the points and podiums that the brand aspires to achieve in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.