Cadillac has confirmed that the departure of Graeme Lowdon as team principal was not a mutual decision, marking a significant change in leadership during the manufacturer’s debut season in Formula 1®. Lowdon was replaced by Marcin Budkowski, who will lead the team for the remainder of the 2026 campaign and beyond.
The announcement came amid a challenging start for Cadillac in the championship, where the team currently sits at the bottom of the standings without scoring any points after 11 rounds. CEO Dan Towriss clarified that the decision to remove Lowdon was made solely by him and was not agreed upon by both parties. Lowdon was reportedly informed about his dismissal only on the morning of the public announcement.
This leadership change follows months of internal consideration regarding the team’s direction and the requirements for its next phase. Towriss expressed respect for Lowdon’s four years of work in building the team but indicated that the timing was appropriate for a new leadership approach. Marcin Budkowski, who previously served as executive director at Alpine and has recently worked as a television pundit, was selected to take over the role.
Towriss also addressed speculation about Lowdon’s role, denying that it was ever intended to be interim. Instead, the change was attributed to the team’s performance and evolving circumstances within the sport. The transition was managed discreetly to avoid destabilising the team and to limit media speculation during the summer shutdown.
While the announcement did not include details about the team’s drivers or specific technical challenges, it highlights the pressures faced by new entrants in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1®. Cadillac’s debut season has been difficult, and the leadership change reflects the company’s response to those challenges.
Budkowski’s experience within Formula 1® and his recent media role suggest a strategic shift as Cadillac aims to establish itself more firmly in the championship. However, the impact of this change will be seen over the coming races as the team continues to develop its operations.
This update underscores the complexities of managing a Formula 1® team, especially during its formative years. Cadillac’s decision to make a leadership change at this stage is a clear indication of the demands and expectations within the sport’s paddock.