Just In: Cadillac Suddenly Axes Team Principal and Confirms Immediate Replacement with…read more

Cadillac has made a major leadership change in Formula 1, announcing that team principal Graeme Lowdon has been replaced by Marcin Budkowski with immediate effect. The surprise decision comes during the summer break of the 2026 season, just months after Cadillac made its long-awaited debut on the F1 grid.

Lowdon played a central role in bringing Cadillac into Formula 1. He was appointed team principal in December 2024 and was responsible for helping build the organisation ahead of its first season. His previous experience with the former Marussia operation made him a natural choice to lead the new American-backed project through its launch phase.

However, Cadillac has now decided that a change in leadership is necessary as the team moves from establishing itself on the grid to focusing more heavily on performance. The timing of the announcement has caught many observers by surprise, particularly because Lowdon had overseen the team through its first races and helped establish its operational structure.

Budkowski arrives with extensive Formula 1 experience, having held senior technical and management positions within the sport. His background includes work with Renault and Alpine, giving him significant knowledge of how to develop and manage an F1 organisation. Cadillac believes that experience can help accelerate its progress during the second half of its debut campaign.

The change comes at a difficult competitive moment for Cadillac. According to Formula 1’s official team statistics, the outfit is currently 11th in the championship with no points from its opening races, despite having experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri

Cadillac has stressed the importance of turning its strong organisational foundations into on-track performance. The team entered F1 with major ambitions, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, and is also preparing for a future in which GM is expected to produce its own power unit.

The immediate appointment of Budkowski therefore represents more than simply a change of personnel. It signals a potential shift in Cadillac’s priorities as the team prepares for the next stage of its Formula 1 project.

Budkowski is expected to begin his new responsibilities at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. With the second half of the season approaching, all eyes will now be on whether the leadership change can help Cadillac make a significant step forward and deliver the results its ambitious project demands.