Cadillac announced a sudden change at the top of its Formula 1 operation, relieving Graeme Lowdon of his duties as team principal and appointing Marcin Budkowski to the role. The automaker described the move as part of a "planned leadership transition," a phrase that suggests the switch had been contemplated well before the public announcement. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, most recently served as Alpine’s executive director before departing the team in 2022. His first race in charge will be the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, the opening event of the post‑summer‑break sprint weekend scheduled for 21‑23 August.
Lowdon had been hired in December 2024 to spearhead Cadillac’s maiden foray into the sport. Under his guidance the American‑backed outfit assembled a driver line‑up featuring former world champion Sergio Pérez and seasoned Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas, and successfully launched the car on the 2026 grid.
However, the team’s performance to date has been modest: after eleven rounds they remain the only newcomer without a single championship point, and reliability has been a persistent problem. Between Pérez and Bottas the cars have retired from nine Grand Prix events, and in the last seven races only one saw both chassis cross the finish line. Chief executive Dan Towriss explained the rationale behind the leadership change, praising Lowdon’s contributions while emphasizing the need for a fresh strategic direction. "Marcin’s appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team," Towriss said.
He added that Cadillac’s ambition extends beyond mere participation; the goal is to build a next‑generation operation capable of contending at the front of the grid. Towriss highlighted Budkowski’s extensive F1 résumé, noting his technical expertise, strategic insight, and ability to instill a winning mindset throughout the organisation. The official statement framed the swap as a pre‑planned transition, yet there had been no prior indication that Lowdon would be replaced before the team’s inaugural season concluded.
In a virtual press conference Towriss clarified that the decision was unilateral and that Lowdon was informed only hours before the public announcement. "It was my decision, it wasn’t a mutual decision," the executive admitted. He described a multi‑month review process that examined the next phase for Cadillac, the timing of any changes, and the suitability of potential successors.
The conversation with Budkowski, according to Towriss, progressed positively, leading to the final appointment. Towriss also acknowledged the practical challenges of executing a leadership change mid‑season.
"There’s no easy way to make this transition within Formula 1," he said, noting that a sudden appearance of a new principal touring the factory could generate media turbulence. He stressed the importance of respecting the existing hierarchy to minimise disruption, even if the timeline inevitably felt abrupt. Budkowski’s background is extensive and varied.
Before his stint at Alpine, he worked for several high‑profile organisations, including Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA. His time at Renault/Alpine spanned four years, during which he gained experience in both technical development and executive management. In his introductory remarks, Budkowski expressed optimism about the team’s prospects. He described Cadillac’s foundation as "extraordinary" and highlighted the upcoming phase as a period of "huge opportunity" centred on maximising car development within the sport’s cost‑cap regulations.
"Our objective is to build an elite organisation with a winning mindset—driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and capable of executing with precision on race day," Budkowski said. He pledged to align personnel, tools, and information flow to enable rapid decision‑making and continuous performance gains.
"It is a privilege to lead Cadillac’s on‑track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend," he added. The change comes at a critical juncture for the fledgling team. While it is unsurprising that a brand‑new entry has struggled to score points, the frequency of retirements and dwindling reliability have likely intensified pressure from senior management.
Cadillac’s performance trajectory has slipped as the season progressed, prompting the leadership to act decisively. Looking ahead, the Dutch Grand Prix will serve as Budkowski’s baptism by fire.
The event will feature a sprint format, adding an extra layer of strategic complexity. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. As the team prepares for its first race under new stewardship, the focus will be on translating Budkowski’s vision into tangible on‑track improvements, hoping to break the points drought and demonstrate that the leadership overhaul was a step in the right direction.