Cadillac announced a major reshuffle within its Formula 1 operation, relieving Graeme Lowdon of his duties as team principal and installing Marcin Budkowski at the helm. The change, described by the organization as part of a "planned leadership transition," comes as the American‑backed outfit struggles to find points in its inaugural 2026 campaign. Budkowski, a 49‑year‑old engineer of Polish‑French heritage, last served as executive director for Alpine before departing the role in 2022. He steps into the vacant position just as the championship pauses for its four‑week summer hiatus, with his first race in charge slated to be the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, scheduled for 21‑23 August.
The Dutch round will mark the resumption of the season after the break and will feature the usual sprint format. Graeme Lowdon was recruited to lead the Cadillac project in December 2024.
During his tenure he oversaw the team's entry onto the grid, the construction of a new chassis, and the signing of a driver line‑up that pairs former world champion Sergio Perez with experienced Finnish racer Valtteri Bottas. Despite these high‑profile appointments, Cadillac remains the only team after eleven races that has yet to score a championship point. Cadillac's chief executive, Dan Towriss, praised Budkowski's appointment, stating, "Marcin's arrival represents another crucial step in the ongoing evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. From day one, our ambition has never been simply to take part; 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 us cultivate the winning mindset, tools and processes needed for sustained success." While the official team statement framed the switch as a pre‑planned succession, there had been no prior indication that Lowdon would be removed before the end of Cadillac's debut season. The lack of points is not unexpected for a brand‑new entrant, but the team has also endured a string of reliability problems.
Perez and Bottas have retired from nine of the first eleven Grands Prix, and the squad has only managed to bring both cars to the finish line in a single race over the last seven events. Towriss added a note of gratitude for Lowdon's contributions: "We are thankful to Graeme for his leadership and the pivotal role he played in building the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His work laid a solid foundation during our build‑up phase, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours." In a virtual press conference held later on Wednesday, Towriss confirmed that the decision to part ways with Lowdon was his alone and that the British executive had been informed only a few hours before the public announcement. "It was my decision, not a mutual one," he said.
"The process began months ago as we examined what the next phase for Cadillac should look like, the timing, and the structure required. When the conversation with Marcin progressed, we realised his vision aligned perfectly with our goals." Towriss also addressed the logistical challenges of such a mid‑season change: "Graeme and I spoke this morning.
Making a leadership switch in Formula 1 is never easy. Imagine the press frenzy if Marcin were simply touring the factory or having informal chats.
It would destabilise the team at a critical moment. Respect for the existing leadership is essential, which compresses the timeline and makes the transition feel abrupt. However, that is the nature of Formula 1 and the way it had to happen." Budkowski's résumé includes stints at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA before his four‑year spell with Renault/Alpine. When asked about his new role, he emphasized the opportunity ahead: "The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition.
This is a phase of huge opportunity for the team, defined by a clear objective: maximising car development within the cost cap and turning every team function toward competition. That means building 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." He continued, "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 lead Cadillac's on‑track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend." The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix will therefore serve as a litmus test for the new leadership. The sprint weekend, featuring a shortened qualifying format and a sprint race that determines the grid for Sunday's main event, offers Cadillac a chance to showcase any immediate improvements in reliability and pace.
Fans can watch all sessions live on Sky Sports, and the race will be streamed without a long‑term contract via the NOW platform. Cadillac's journey this season illustrates the steep learning curve faced by newcomers in Formula 1. While the team has yet to break into the points, the infusion of Budkowski's experience and a renewed strategic focus could accelerate its development.
The next few months will reveal whether the planned transition translates into tangible performance gains, and whether Cadillac can evolve from a struggling debutant into a genuine contender in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.