Cadillac replaces Lowdon with Budkowski in summer break shake-up

Cadillac has replaced team principal Graeme Lowdon with former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski in a dramatic summer break shake-up. The American manufacturer insists the switch is a planned evolution from foundation-building to performance, even after going point-less through 11 rounds of its debut Formula 1 season.

Why it matters:

Languishing last with zero points and nine retirements, Cadillac cannot afford to drift through its debut campaign. Appointing Budkowski — a figure with deep technical clout from Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine — signals a shift from assembly to attack mode. For a manufacturer-backed outfit that has looked operationally raw, it is a clear admission that ambition now requires experienced execution.

The details:

• Team CEO Dan Towriss framed the change as a "planned transition," crediting Lowdon with building the squad but arguing Budkowski's expertise is critical for the next phase.
• The winless record: Drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have yet to crack the top ten in any session. Their best chance came in Monaco, where Perez briefly held tenth before a time penalty.
• Budkowski's resume: The 49-year-old brings over 20 years of F1 experience from Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA, and Renault/Alpine, where he was executive director until early 2022.
• Cost-cap focus: Budkowski emphasized sharpening operations and maximizing car development within the cost cap.

What's next:

Budkowski takes charge from the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, leaving him little time to change the team's trajectory. Early signs of sharper decisions and faster upgrades will show if this was a genuine pivot or a mid-season bandage. With a manufacturer brand to protect, Cadillac needs this move to start a competitive era rather than become another symptom of debut-season chaos.