F1 Today: Cadillac Replaces Lowdon as Rain Threatens Final Zandvoort GP

Cadillac replaced team principal Graeme Lowdon with former Alpine director Marcin Budkowski amid a struggling start to its first Formula 1 season. Meanwhile, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort faces a washout threat, with heavy rain forecast across all three days including the sprint race. The news comes as Red Bull hunts for fixes to RB22 degradation and Aston Martin’s Hungary upgrade proves it is a genuine threat.

Why it matters:

Cadillac’s sudden change reveals serious concern over its uncompetitive debut, placing immediate pressure on Budkowski to steady the ship. A rain-soaked Zandvoort finale would add another layer of chaos to a championship already full of unpredictable swings.

The details:

• Cadillac shake-up: Marcin Budkowski, who left Alpine in early 2022, replaces Graeme Lowdon as the team fights to escape the bottom in its inaugural year.
• Zandvoort forecast: Weather models show a high probability of rain throughout the Dutch GP weekend, threatening to turn the tight coastal track into a treacherous spectacle for the final edition.
• Red Bull hunt: Laurent Mekies highlighted key areas to extract more performance from the RB22, addressing Max Verstappen’s comments about car degradation after recent runner-up finishes.
• Aston Martin surge: Adrian Newey’s upgrade package for the AMR26 showed impressive pace in Hungary, validating the team’s aggressive push and worrying the front-runners.

What's next:

Budkowski’s early decisions will decide whether Cadillac can build momentum in its rookie season, while a wet Zandvoort race could scramble the order. With Red Bull chasing fixes and Aston Martin gaining ground, the grid looks increasingly open through the second half.