Buxton: Cadillac 'wouldn't be on the grid' without Graeme Lowdon

Former Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton has praised Graeme Lowdon after his abrupt exit as Cadillac team principal, insisting the American outfit would not be on the grid without his foundational work. Lowdon was replaced by Marcin Budkowski after just 11 races of the team's debut campaign, a move CEO Dan Towriss confirmed was not mutual.

Why it matters:

Lowdon's sudden departure underscores the ruthless nature of F1, where architects who build a team from nothing can be moved aside once the project shifts to long-term competitiveness. His exit illustrates how quickly the sport moves beyond its builders once the focus turns to the next development phase.

The details:

• Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton credited Lowdon's experience at Manor/Marussia for Cadillac's grid presence, stating he knew "what it took to build up a team from nothing."
• Buxton revealed Lowdon had recently acknowledged his own "narrow window of expertise," suggesting the former team principal understood he was unlikely to be the long-term option.
• Towriss confirmed Lowdon was only informed on the morning of the announcement, making the transition abrupt rather than mutual.
• The timing aligns with F1's long lead times; Buxton argued installing Budkowski now maximizes his influence over the team's 2027 and 2028 development plans.

What's next:

Marcin Budkowski now faces the task of steering Cadillac through its formative years while imprinting his own technical vision on the squad. With the team still searching for its first points, the early leadership change could determine whether Cadillac solidifies a place in the midfield or remains stuck at the back of the grid.