Cadillac has announced a leadership overhaul within its Formula 1 operation, removing Graeme Lowdon from the role of team principal and installing Marcin Budkowski as his successor. The change, described by the organization as part of a "planned leadership transition," comes as the American‑backed outfit struggles to make an impact in its inaugural 2026 season, having yet to score a single championship point after the first eleven rounds. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, most recently served as executive director at Alpine before departing the team in 2022.
His extensive résumé includes stints at several historic racing organisations, such as Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and even a period working for the FIA. He will take charge of the Cadillac squad ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the first race after the sport's four‑week summer hiatus, scheduled for 21‑23 August. Lowdon’s tenure with Cadillac began in December 2024, when he was appointed to steer the newly created programme.
Under his guidance the team secured a driver line‑up featuring former world champion Sergio Pérez and experienced Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas, and oversaw the logistical and technical preparations required to bring the American brand onto the grid. However, the partnership has been hampered by a series of reliability problems that have seen both cars retire from nine of the first eleven events, and only one occasion in the last seven races where both machines reached the chequered flag. Cadillac’s chief executive, Dan Towriss, explained the rationale behind the shift: "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 move as a pre‑planned succession, there had been no public indication that Lowdon would be removed before the conclusion of Cadillac’s debut season. The abrupt nature of the decision was underscored by Towriss’s admission that Lowdon was informed only hours before the public announcement.
"It was my decision, it wasn’t a mutual decision," Towriss told reporters during a virtual press conference. "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 look. Then the capabilities of various people were assessed, and we were delighted with the conversation with Marcin and how that relationship evolved." Towriss also paid tribute to 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 transition, however, is not without its challenges. In the high‑pressure environment of Formula 1, sudden changes at the top can destabilise a team’s momentum.
Towriss acknowledged this, noting that a sudden appearance of a new boss touring the factory would generate a media frenzy and could disrupt the already fragile equilibrium within the organisation. "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. It makes it feel more abrupt than it would be otherwise.
But it’s the nature of F1 and it’s the way it had to happen," he added. Budkowski’s vision for the team centres on maximising development within the sport’s cost‑cap regulations and fostering a culture of relentless improvement.
"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 emphasised the need for 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 further outlined his immediate priorities: aligning personnel, tools and information flow so that decisions are made swiftly and the car’s performance improves lap after lap. "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 affirmed. Cadillac’s on‑track struggles have been evident.
The team’s reliability has deteriorated as the season progressed, with frequent mechanical failures and a lack of points underscoring the steep learning curve faced by a newcomer. Nevertheless, the organisation remains optimistic that the infusion of Budkowski’s experience—gained from his time at top‑tier manufacturers and the FIA—will accelerate the development of a competitive package. The Dutch Grand Prix will serve as Budkowski’s first real test as the head of the Cadillac operation.
The event, featuring a sprint race format, offers a compact window for the team to showcase any immediate improvements and to gauge the effectiveness of the new leadership structure. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether the strategic shift translates into tangible progress on the track. Beyond the immediate race weekend, Cadillac’s long‑term ambition is to evolve from a participant to a genuine contender. The 2026 season marks the first year of a new set of technical regulations aimed at reducing costs and promoting closer racing, providing a potential window for a well‑managed team to close the gap to established manufacturers.
By leveraging Budkowski’s broad network and deep technical knowledge, Cadillac hopes to refine its aerodynamics, power unit integration and operational efficiency to eventually challenge for podiums and, ultimately, victories. In summary, the dismissal of Graeme Lowdon and the appointment of Marcin Budkowski represent a decisive pivot for Cadillac’s fledgling Formula 1 project.
While the transition has been described as planned, the rapid execution and lack of prior warning suggest a more urgent response to the team’s under‑performance. With a seasoned leader at the helm, the American marque is betting that a renewed focus on engineering excellence, strategic decision‑making and a cohesive team culture will enable it to overcome early setbacks and carve out a competitive niche in the highly contested world of Formula 1.