Marcin Budkowski has been appointed as the new Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, replacing Graeme Lowdon ahead of the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, according to an official team announcement on August 12, 2026. Budkowski brings more than two decades of F1 experience to the American outfit as it navigates its inaugural Formula 1 season.
Leadership Transition at Cadillac F1
The leadership change marks a planned evolution for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as the organization transitions from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance, according to team CEO Dan Towriss. Budkowski steps into the role with a background spanning engineering, regulatory and executive leadership across multiple championship-winning organizations. His career includes senior roles with Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA, and Renault/Alpine, where he served as executive director and board member during the team’s transition into the Alpine era, as reported by Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
Lowdon departs the team after helping establish its operational foundation from the ground up during the initial build-up phase. While the official team announcement did not detail the exact circumstances of Lowdon’s departure, senior sources indicated the split was planned and amicable, according to reporting by PlanetF1. Towriss expressed gratitude for Lowdon’s contributions, stating that his leadership was instrumental in forming the team’s base.
Budkowski’s Strategy and Goals
Budkowski takes command of the team’s on-track efforts with an immediate focus on maximizing car development within the sport’s cost cap restrictions. The 49-year-old Polish / French engineer emphasized the need to build an elite organizational mindset focused on detail, process, and precise execution on race day.
“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,” Budkowski said, according to the team’s official release. “It is a privilege to be leading Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on-track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend.”
The Road Ahead at Zandvoort
The newly appointed Team Principal assumes leadership immediately, with his trackside debut scheduled for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, running from August 21 to August 23, 2026. The team enters the second half of its debut season carrying valuable learnings from the first half of its debut season, aiming to sharpen its competitive edge under Budkowski’s strategic direction.