Cadillac appoints Budkowski as F1 team principal

Cadillac has named former Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski as its Formula 1 team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon with immediate effect. CEO Dan Towriss said management made the decision unilaterally and that Lowdon was informed on the morning the change was announced.

The leadership change comes during the mid-season break of Cadillac’s inaugural Formula 1 campaign. After 11 rounds of the 2026 season, the team has not scored any championship points and is bottom of the standings.

He described it as a new operational direction Management says a strategic reset drove the switch He described it as a new operational direction Towriss said the move is part of a permanent restructuring rather than an interim step. He described it as a new operational direction intended to run through the remainder of 2026 and extend beyond the current season. Addressing the timing and pace of the announcement, Towriss said the abrupt approach was designed to avoid organisational instability while the team recruits. He said the objective was to limit disruption and allow the new leadership to focus immediately on longer-term targets. Budkowski takes over in Cadillac’s debut season Budkowski previously served as Alpine’s executive director until January 2022. He now assumes responsibility for leading Cadillac as it works through its first year in Formula 1. Officials framed the appointment as aligned with the Officials framed the appointment as aligned with the need to recalibrate development plans and improve results over time. The team’s early performance has placed added emphasis on progress, with the points tally still at zero after 11 rounds.

Stability and clarity highlighted as the programme evolves

Towriss linked the leadership reset to a broader Towriss linked the leadership reset to a broader effort to establish a competitive Formula 1 presence over the long term. Management also indicated that the debut season had been expected to be difficult, while stressing the importance of clear leadership as the programme continues.

Some aspects of how the restructuring will be implemented were not detailed in management comments, including the specific operational changes planned and how quickly they are expected to influence performance. For now, Budkowski’s immediate task is to lead the team through the rest of 2026 as Cadillac continues recruitment and development work under its revised direction.