Marcin Budkowski has been appointed Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 team, effective August 12, 2026. The move sees the former Viaplay technical analyst take the helm of the American outfit midway through its challenging inaugural season. Budkowski replaces Graeme Lowdon, whose departure was announced during Formula 1’s summer break.
Cadillac has endured a difficult start to its 2026 campaign, failing to score any championship points after 11 races. The team has been plagued by significant reliability issues, brake overheating, and component failures throughout the first half of the season.
Drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have collectively recorded nine Grand Prix retirements during this period. The performance of the Ferrari-powered MAC-26 car has consistently fallen short of expectations, showing little progress since the season commenced.
Budkowski’s appointment marks a return to a team leadership role in Formula 1. Prior to his tenure as a Viaplay technical analyst, he held key positions at several top-tier organisations. His extensive career includes stints at Prost Grand Prix, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA, and Alpine, where he served as Executive Director until 2022.
The leadership change, while described by Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss as a ‘planned leadership transition,’ was abrupt. Towriss confirmed the decision to remove Lowdon was his, with Lowdon being informed only hours before the public announcement.
Budkowski’s immediate focus will be on addressing the team’s mechanical reliability, which he has identified as an urgent necessity. He stressed the importance of resolving these issues to enable proper data collection and car development.
He also highlighted the need to balance current car fixes with the development of the 2027 design, all while operating within Formula 1’s cost cap restrictions and ongoing team recruitment efforts.
Cadillac’s stated objective from its inception was not merely to participate but to build a team capable of competing at the front of the grid. Budkowski’s technical knowledge and strategic leadership are expected to help establish the processes required to achieve this long-term goal.
The Polish engineer will make his debut as Cadillac Team Principal at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. This event, scheduled for August 21-23, will follow Formula 1’s four-week summer break.
