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Cadillac Boss Sets Sights on Ferrari Power Unit Secrets as F1 Performance Push Begins

New Cadillac Formula 1 Team Principal Marcin Budkowski is preparing to conduct a detailed assessment of how the team is exploiting its Ferrari power unit as he begins his new role.

Budkowski, who replaced Graeme Lowdon during the summer break, arrives with more than two decades of Formula 1 experience across Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA and Renault/Alpine. His appointment comes as Cadillac looks to move from establishing itself on the F1 grid to improving its competitiveness.

One of Budkowski’s immediate priorities will be understanding whether Cadillac is extracting the maximum potential from its Ferrari power unit. The 2026 regulations have placed significantly greater emphasis on electrical energy, making energy deployment and recovery an increasingly important part of overall performance. Formula 1’s new power units feature a much greater contribution from the electrical side of the hybrid system, with roughly half of the available power coming from electric energy.

Budkowski believes that mastering those systems could provide a crucial advantage, pointing to the early-season relationship between Mercedes and customer team McLaren as an example of how knowledge of energy management can influence performance.

The new Cadillac boss suggested that understanding the detailed operation of a power unit can become a major differentiator between teams. While customer teams receive the hardware and essential technical information from their engine suppliers, Budkowski acknowledged that manufacturers may not necessarily reveal every detail of how they optimise their systems.

That situation, he indicated, is simply part of the competitive nature of Formula 1.

For Cadillac, the investigation could be particularly important as the team continues its first season using Ferrari power. The partnership is intended as a temporary phase, with General Motors developing its own power unit for Cadillac’s future works programme.

Budkowski’s arrival therefore represents more than a change of leadership. He has been tasked with identifying areas where Cadillac can gain performance, and unlocking more from its existing package could be one of the quickest opportunities available.

With Cadillac still searching for its first championship point after the opening 11 rounds, the new team principal faces a significant challenge. His Ferrari power-unit investigation could become an important part of the American team’s effort to close the gap to its established rivals as the 2026 season resumes at Zandvoort.