Cadillac Formula 1 Team announced on August 12, 2026, that Marcin Budkowski has been appointed as its new Team Principal, marking another step in the team’s leadership transition during its inaugural Formula 1 season.
The move comes as the organization shifts from its initial build phase into a more competition-focused stage. Dan Towriss said Budkowski’s appointment represents another important step in the team’s continued evolution, and added that Cadillac’s goal has never been simply to take part in Formula 1. Instead, the team is trying to build a next-generation operation capable of competing at the front.
Budkowski brings more than two decades of F1 experience to the role. His background includes senior positions at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA and Renault/Alpine, giving him a broad view of both the technical and organizational demands that come with running an F1 team.
What Budkowski said about the job
Budkowski said Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition, and described the current stage as one with huge opportunity. He said his focus will be on maximizing car development within the cost cap, while also building an elite organization that can execute with precision on race day.
He also stressed the importance of aligning people, tools and information flow so the right decisions are made quickly and the car improves every time the team goes racing. Budkowski said it is a privilege to lead Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on-track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend.
What changes next
The timing matters because Cadillac Formula 1 Team returns to the track for the Dutch Grand Prix next week, with Budkowski set to begin leading the on-track operation in Zandvoort. That makes the appointment more than a routine staffing move. It is a signal that the team is moving deeper into the performance phase of its Formula 1 project.
Towriss also thanked Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and for helping form the team from the ground up. He said Lowdon’s work helped establish a strong foundation during the build-up phase, and wished him well as Cadillac enters this new era.
At 49 years old, Budkowski now becomes the key figure overseeing the team’s next step, with the challenge of turning Cadillac’s ambition into on-track progress as the Formula 1 season moves forward.
