Cadillac names Budkowski as F1 team principal

Cadillac has named Marcin Budkowski as its new Formula 1 team principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon with immediate effect. The change was initiated by CEO Dan Towriss, according to the details provided, and it was not presented as a mutual decision.

Lowdon was informed on the morning the leadership move was made public. The team said the timing was brought forward from earlier expectations because it wanted the new structure to shape work linked to its 2027 programme.

Management change tied to 2027 programme timeline

Marcin Budkowski

The organisation described the move as a strategic shift in how it manages its 2027 project. It said the aim is to move past early build-out stages and into a phase that places greater emphasis on technical leadership and alignment across functions.

Officials cited internal operational challenges as a key driver for the decision. Among the issues highlighted were gaps in factory communication and the risk of departments operating in silos, which the new leadership is expected to address.

Factory coordination and internal silos cited as key issues In explaining the change, the team pointed to the need for tighter communication inside the operation. The stated is to reduce friction between departments and improve coordination as development work ramps up.

Cadillac’s appointment of Budkowski was framed as a Cadillac’s appointment of Budkowski was framed as a step toward clearer cross-department collaboration. The organisation said it wants a leadership approach that can connect separate parts of the team more effectively as it moves deeper into its technical cycle.

Integrating General Motors tools, including AI Cadillac said the new appointment is also intended to strengthen how General Motors’ technical capabilities feed into the F1 effort. It specifically referenced artificial intelligence as one of the resources it plans to integrate into the team’s development processes.

The organisation presented this as part of a broader push to ensure the F1 project can draw on wider GM tools and expertise. It did not provide a detailed roadmap for how those systems will be embedded, but linked the leadership shift to improving integration and decision-making across the programme.

With the change taking effect immediately, the team is moving to implement the new structure without a phased transition period. Officials said the earlier-than-expected timing was driven by the need to influence work connected to the 2027 project, while acknowledging the move marks a clear change in leadership direction.