Cadillac announced today that Graeme Lowdon has been relieved of his duties as team principal and that Marcin Budkowski will assume the role. The change is being framed by the 2026 Formula 1 newcomers as a "planned leadership transition," although the timing suggests a more abrupt shift. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, last worked in Formula 1 as the executive director of Alpine before departing the organisation in 2022. He steps into the Cadillac seat at a moment when the American‑backed squad remains the only team that has yet to score a championship point after the first eleven rounds of the 2026 campaign.
His inaugural race as the team’s head will be the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, scheduled for 21‑23 August following the sport’s four‑week summer hiatus. Lowdon was hired in December 2024 to lead the Cadillac project from its inception. Under his stewardship the outfit secured a place on the 2026 grid and assembled a driver line‑up featuring former world champion Sergio Pérez and experienced Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas. Despite these high‑profile signings, the team’s on‑track performance has been hampered by reliability problems, resulting in nine retirements across the first eleven Grands Prix and only a single occasion where both cars reached the finish line in the last seven events.
Cadillac’s chief executive, Dan Towriss, commented on the appointment: "Marcin’s arrival marks another pivotal step in the ongoing evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. From the outset, our ambition has never been merely to take part in Formula 1; we aim to build a next‑generation operation capable of fighting at the front of the grid. Marcin brings a wealth of F1 experience, technical insight and strategic leadership that will reinforce our organisation and help instil the winning mindset, tools and processes required for sustained success." While the official team statement described the change as part of a "planned leadership transition," there had been no earlier indication that Lowdon would be replaced before the conclusion of Cadillac’s debut season.
The decision appears to have been driven in part by the team’s disappointing reliability record. Over the course of the season, the cars have suffered a growing number of technical failures, and the likelihood of scoring points has dwindled as the chassis and power unit have struggled to finish races consistently.
Towriss also paid tribute to Lowdon, saying: "We are grateful for Graeme’s leadership and the foundational role he played in building the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His contributions established a solid base during our build‑up phase, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours." During a virtual press conference later on Wednesday, Towriss confirmed that the dismissal was his unilateral decision and that Lowdon was informed only a few hours before the public announcement.
"It was my decision, not a mutual one," he explained. "The process began months ago as we examined what the next phase for Cadillac should look like, the timing, and the capabilities required.
Our conversations with Marcin progressed positively, and that relationship ultimately shaped the final outcome." Towriss acknowledged the difficulty of making such a transition within the high‑pressure environment of Formula 1: "Imagine the media frenzy if Marcin were simply touring the factory or holding informal chats. It would destabilise the team at a critical juncture. Respect for the existing leadership is essential, but the nature of the sport sometimes forces swift action." Budkowski’s résumé includes stints at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA before his four‑year tenure with Renault/Alpine, where he left in 2022.
He expressed enthusiasm about his new challenge: "The Cadillac Formula 1 Team possesses an extraordinary foundation and ambition. This is a period of immense opportunity, defined by a clear objective: maximise car development within the cost cap and align every department to compete." He added, "Building an elite organisation with a winning mindset means being relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessive about detail and process, and executing with precision on race day. My focus will be on synchronising our people, tools and information flow so that the right decisions are made quickly and the car’s performance improves each outing.
It is a privilege to lead Cadillac’s on‑track efforts, starting at Zandvoort next weekend." The Dutch Grand Prix will also feature a Sprint race, marking the first competitive action of the season’s second half. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The upcoming weekend will therefore serve as a litmus test for Budkowski’s leadership and for Cadillac’s ability to translate its ambitious goals into tangible results on the track.