Full Breakdown
Cadillac F1 Team Replaces Founding Principal Graeme Lowdon with Marcin Budkowski
8/12/2026, 11:56:19 PM
Core Event: Mid-Season Leadership Change
On August 12 2026, Cadillac announced that Graeme Lowdon, team principal since December 2024, was removed and succeeded by former Alpine chief Marcin Budkowski. The change was presented as a “planned leadership transition” as the organization moves to a performance-focused stage.
Background & Context
Cadillac entered Formula 1 as the sport’s 11th constructor at the start of the 2026 season, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports. Lowdon oversaw the project from its early development through the team’s debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2026.
After eleven rounds the Cadillac car has not scored a point and sits last in the constructors’ standings, with recurring reliability problems—particularly brake-related retirements—that have forced both drivers, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, out of several races.
Budkowski brings more than two decades of F1 experience, including engineering roles at Prost, Ferrari (2002-2007), McLaren, and a stint as the FIA’s technical and sporting coordinator before serving as Alpine’s executive director (2017-2022). He has also worked as a television pundit.
Data & Statistics
- Constructors’ position: 11th of 11, 0 points after 11 races.
- Drivers: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas.
- Reliability record: Nine retirements due to technical failures across the first eleven Grand Prix.
Official Statements & Responses
Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac and TWG Motorsports, said the change was his decision and not a mutual one. He noted the timing “came sooner than was expected” because the team faced a narrow window to build something new and innovative. Towriss stressed the move was driven by a desire for a clear vision that aligns with ownership ambitions, rather than recent performance issues. He added that Budkowski’s technical background would help address internal communication challenges at the Silverstone base.
Budkowski described Cadillac’s foundation as “extraordinary” and highlighted the need to maximize car development within the cost cap, align all team functions, and instill a “winning mindset.” He said his immediate focus will be on improving processes, accelerating decision-making, and extracting additional performance from the car.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Towriss asserted the leadership change was unrelated to the team’s reliability woes, several outlets pointed to the brake-fire retirements and lack of points as contextual factors. No public comment from Lowdon was provided, leaving his perspective undocumented. The precise weight of performance issues versus strategic vision in the decision remains unclear.
Timeline
- December 2024: Graeme Lowdon appointed team principal.
- March 2026: Cadillac debuts at the Australian Grand Prix.
- Late July 2026: Lowdon attends the Hungarian Grand Prix; no indication of imminent change.
- August 12 2026: Leadership change announced; Budkowski assumes the role.
- August 21-23 2026 (scheduled): Budkowski’s first race as team principal at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Marcin’s appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” — Dan Towriss
- “We're grateful to Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and the role he played in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up.” — Dan Towriss
- “Graeme and I always talked about that there would be a transition at some point.” — Dan Towriss
- “We're at this inflection point with the summer break,” — Dan Towriss
These statements capture the official narrative surrounding the transition and the strategic outlook for Cadillac’s future in Formula 1.
