Cadillac Replaces Lowdon with Budkowski as Team Principal

Cadillac has replaced team principal Graeme Lowdon with veteran F1 executive Marcin Budkowski, effective immediately. The move comes with the American squad anchored to the bottom of the constructors’ standings and still seeking its first points.

Why it matters:

Lowdon helped build Cadillac from the ground up, but his departure after less than two seasons signals that the team is done waiting for gradual progress. By installing Budkowski—whose résumé includes Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and the FIA—Cadillac is betting on proven technical leadership to fast-track its escape from the back row.

The details:

• Instant debut: Budkowski takes charge from the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort next weekend, giving him almost no runway before his first race.
• Deep pedigree: He has worked as an aerodynamicist at Prost, Ferrari and McLaren, led the FIA’s technical department, and held senior roles at Renault including co-team principal in 2021.
• On-track reality: Cadillac is point-less while building new infrastructure in Indiana and operating within the cost cap.
• Operational focus: Budkowski aims to align people, tools and information flow to accelerate decisions and performance, demanding an “elite organisation with a winning mindset.”

What's next:

Budkowski must quickly establish a credible rhythm and halt Cadillac’s freefall before the season drifts further out of reach. With CEO Dan Towriss insisting the project aims to fight at the front, the coming races will test whether this shake-up can turn ambition into tangible results for a team still under construction.