Cadillac names first priority after team boss sacking as Hadjar reveals special Dutch GP helmet

Cadillac has appointed former Alpine technical chief Marcin Budkowski as team principal following the August 12 dismissal of Graeme Lowdon, who had been steering the American outfit's F1 entry. The leadership change comes as Mercedes dominates the 2026 season through long-term planning, while Red Bull and Honda endure painful growing pains as works engine suppliers.

Why it matters:

Lowdon's exit underscores the intense pressure on Cadillac to lock down its hierarchy before hitting the grid. It also reflects the wider 2026 landscape: Mercedes has capitalized on years of preparation to seize both championships, while new or transitioning power unit operations—namely Honda with Aston Martin and Red Bull's in-house effort—are still fighting fundamental reliability and performance issues.

The details:

• Cadillac reshuffle: Budkowski replaces Lowdon as the American squad looks to steady the ship ahead of its competitive debut.
• Helmet tribute: Isack Hadjar, team-mate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, will run a special Zandvoort lid nodding to his maiden F1 podium at the Dutch circuit last year.
• Honda's struggles: Honda trackside chief Shintaro Orihara revealed Aston Martin never complained despite severe battery vibrations and poor reliability plaguing their works partnership.
• Mercedes' payoff: Technical director James Allison said a multi-year strategic focus on the 2026 regulations underpinned the team's eight wins and 72-point constructors' lead after 11 rounds.
• Red Bull divided: Fans are split on whether Red Bull should fare better than fourth in the standings during its first season as a standalone engine builder, with Verstappen scoring the team's only podiums so far.

What's next:

The grid heads to Zandvoort this weekend for the Dutch Grand Prix, where Verstappen will race on home soil and Hadjar will show off his custom helmet. With Mercedes firmly in control and the chasing pack scrambling for answers, the second half of the 2026 season promises more tension both on and off the track.