Cadillac Makes Shock Announcement to Shake Up F1 Summer Shutdown

The American team has stunned the F1 paddock with its decision during the traditional summer break.

IMAGO / NurPhoto

The Cadillac Formula 1 team has dropped a bombshell by announcing the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as team principal midway through the championship's summer shutdown.

Budkowski, whose most recent role in F1 came with the Alpine team, where he was executive director in 2021 and 2022, takes over from Graeme Lowdon, who has led Cadillac since its infancy when it was announced the American manufacturer would join the grid this term.

But it is as yet unclear as to why Lowdon has left his post, with there being no further explanation or comment in the official team release other than a thank you from CEO Dan Towriss.

Cadillac F1 Team CEO Dan Towriss and team principal Graeme Lowdon at the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, 2025. | Cadillac F1 Team

In the release, it is explained that Budkowski will "help lead the team's continued operational growth and long-term competitive development". Cadillac says that the appointment follows what is described as a "planned leadership transition" as an evolution from the initial build phase to the next stage of racing performance.

Towriss said: "Marcin's appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.

"From the beginning, our goal has not been simply to participate in Formula 1, but to build a next-generation team capable of competing at the very front. As we enter this new era for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Marcin brings exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise and strategic leadership that will strengthen our organization and help us develop the winning mindset, tools and processes required for long-term success.

He added: “We’re grateful to Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and the role he played in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build-up phase, and we thank him for his commitment and wish him well."

Marcin Budkowski, Cadillac | Cadillac F1 Team

Before Budkowski's executive director stint at Alpine, the Polish-French engineer had worked across positions with the former Prost team as well as Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA in engineering, technical, sporting and operational positions - the likes of which will be a boost to Cadillac's continued education in F1 as it tries to climb the ranks.

“Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition,” said Budkowski. “This is a phase of huge opportunity for the team, one that will be defined by a clear objective: maximizing car development within the cost cap and turning every team function on to compete.

"That means building an elite organization with a winning mindset – driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and able to execute with precision on race day.

Our favorite view. pic.twitter.com/N9zoBZ9HX7

— Cadillac Formula 1 Team (@Cadillac_F1) July 24, 2026

"My focus will be on aligning our people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly, and the performance of the car improves every time we go racing. It is a privilege to be leading Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on-track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend.”