Cadillac F1 Appoints Marcin Budkowski as Team Principal

Marcin Budkowski has taken over as Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, replacing Graeme Lowdon ahead of the second half of the team’s inaugural campaign, according to announcements by the American outfit.

Cadillac F1 Team Principal Change: Marcin Budkowski Replaces Graeme Lowdon

The leadership shakeup places Budkowski on the pit wall starting at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, according to coverage by Grande Premio. Budkowski previously served as Executive Director of the Alpine squad until his exit in 2022, following a stint at the FIA starting in 2018. Since leaving Alpine, he has worked as a television pundit in his native Poland.

According to PlanetF1, the departure of Graeme Lowdon was part of a planned transition. Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss thanked Lowdon for his foundational work.

“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,” Towriss stated in the team’s official release. “His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build-up phase.”

Navigating Inaugural Season Challenges and Reliability Issues

The managerial transition arrives after a difficult opening 11 races for Cadillac’s debut season, which has been hampered by reliability issues, brake overheating, and structural component failures, as reported by Grande Premio. Cadillac remains the only team yet to score points in the 2026 Formula 1 championship standings.

Dan Towriss emphasized that the team’s ambitions extend beyond merely participating in the sport.

“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,” Towriss said. He added that Budkowski brings “exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise and strategic leadership.” Dan Towriss

Budkowski’s Strategic Focus for Cadillac Racing Performance

Marcin Budkowski brings more than two decades of motorsport experience to his new role, including spells with Prost, Ferrari, and McLaren, alongside his executive duties at the FIA and Renault/Alpine. His immediate priority is optimizing team efficiency under financial regulations.

“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,” Budkowski commented. “My focus will be on aligning our people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new Cadillac F1 Team Principal?

Marcin Budkowski has been named the new Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, replacing Graeme Lowdon.

When does Marcin Budkowski take charge?

According to official team announcements, Budkowski assumes operational leadership starting at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.

What did Graeme Lowdon do for Cadillac?

Graeme Lowdon served as Team Principal during the team’s setup phase, helping build the organization from the ground up before stepping down in a planned leadership transition.