Graeme Lowdon Out as Cadillac F1 Boss in Mid-Season Shake-Up

Graeme Lowdon has been abruptly removed as Cadillac F1 team principal 11 rounds into the American squad’s debut season, with former Alpine executive Marcin Budkowski taking charge from the Dutch Grand Prix. The change was announced during the summer break as a “planned leadership transition,” but CEO Dan Towriss acknowledged that Lowdon had not agreed to the decision and was informed only on Wednesday morning.

Why it matters:

Lowdon was a central figure in Cadillac’s F1 project for nearly four years, guiding the team from its entry bid to the grid. His sudden removal signals a shift from the establishment phase to an operational focus on development, as the Ferrari-powered newcomer sits last in the standings without a point.

The details:

• Not mutual: Towriss confirmed Lowdon learned of the move this week after discussions began months ago. He rejected the idea that Lowdon was merely an interim appointment, citing a nearly four-year tenure of planning and building.
• Performance-driven: Cadillac entered with experienced drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, but Towriss indicated the change was a response to on-track evolution rather than a pre-set timeline.
• Budkowski’s return: The 49-year-old Polish-French engineer comes back to an operational F1 role for the first time since leaving Alpine in early 2022. His resume includes Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA technical department, and Renault/Alpine, where he was executive director.
• Immediate focus: Budkowski said his priority is aligning the team’s people, tools, and information flow so decisions are made faster and the car improves every weekend.

What's next:

Budkowski starts at Zandvoort, tasked with lifting a team still searching for its maiden point. Towriss stressed that Cadillac’s goal was never merely to participate, but to build a front-running outfit, and he views Budkowski’s technical expertise as critical to that leap.