Cadillac abruptly replaces team principal with Marcin Budkowski

Cadillac has abruptly replaced founding team principal Graeme Lowdon with Marcin Budkowski, who will take charge immediately ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. The American outfit framed the move as a planned transition from its build phase to a racing performance focus, though the announcement came suddenly after Lowdon helped establish the team from the ground up.

Why it matters:

Leadership changes at this level signal a shift in ambition for F1's newest team. Lowdon was instrumental in guiding Cadillac through its entry, but the team now appears determined to inject fresh technical expertise as it fights at the back of the grid. Budkowski's background in F1 governance and factory operations could be crucial in accelerating the team's development.

The details:

• Sudden exit: Graeme Lowdon, former Manor F1 chief, departs after building the team from scratch. CEO Dan Towriss credited him with establishing a "strong foundation" but confirmed he has left.
• New appointment: Marcin Budkowski joins from a role as a Polish television analyst, having previously served as Renault's executive director after a controversial move from the FIA in 2017. He stayed through Alpine's leadership changes before departing.
• Timing: Budkowski assumes his duties publicly from the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, taking immediate responsibility for the 2026 campaign.
• On-track situation: Cadillac has yet to score points with the MAC-26, a car that showed pace against Aston Martin earlier this year but now risks being isolated at the rear. Rivals are introducing developmental upgrades while Cadillac shifts focus to next year's design.

What's next:

Budkowski inherits a team that has occasionally punched above its weight but lacks the infrastructure of established rivals. Navigating the rest of 2026 while preparing the organization for its 2027 challenger will be the immediate test. Whether this reset can lift Cadillac off the back row remains to be seen as the midfield tightens.