Cadillac F1 names Marcin Budkowski as team principal

Cadillac has appointed Marcin Budkowski as Team Principal of its Formula 1 programme, with the change taking effect immediately. He replaces Graeme Lowdon as the organisation adjusts its senior structure ahead of upcoming competition cycles.

Officials framed the move as an effort to tighten leadership focus while Cadillac continues building its future on-track commitments. Budkowski is set to begin before the Dutch Grand Prix, marking a return to full-time team leadership.

Cadillac reshapes leadership ahead of future races

Cadillac’s decision places Budkowski at the centre of Cadillac’s decision places Budkowski at the centre of day-to-day direction as the programme develops. Officials said his role will focus on management stability and setting technical priorities, positioning him as a veteran presence at the top of the organisation. The announcement did not include additional detail on how responsibilities will be allocated across senior leaders. It also remains unclear what position, if any, Lowdon will keep within the wider programme, based on the information available from officials. Budkowski’s Formula 1 record spans teams and regulation Budkowski arrives with experience across both technical and sporting responsibilities in Formula 1. He has held senior roles at Ferrari, McLaren, and Renault/Alpine, bringing exposure to different operating approaches and performance cultures inside the sport.

Marcin Budkowski

His background also includes time at the FIA, where he contributed to the development of the halo safety device. The halo was introduced in 2018, and officials cited Budkowski’s blend of team-side leadership and governance experience as part of the rationale for his selection.

Officials link the change to a push for stability and direction Officials said the appointment follows a period of organisational instability associated with Budkowski’s previous team, where senior leadership positions changed multiple times over three years. Cadillac described placing Budkowski in charge as a step intended to add stability and clearer technical direction to ongoing operations.

In the period referenced by officials, the team principal role changed hands several times, including Otmar Szafnauer, Bruno Famin, and Oliver Oakes. Against that backdrop, officials indicated Budkowski is expected to provide continuity as Cadillac advances its Formula 1 effort.

For now, Cadillac has not provided further specifics alongside the appointment, including how the management structure will function in practice. Those unanswered questions, including any continuing responsibilities for Lowdon, remain a key uncertainty in the material released by officials.