The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has made a bold move by appointing Marcin Budkowski as their new Team Principal. This strategic decision comes as the American outfit looks to strengthen its operations and drive competitive excellence in the second half of their debut season. Budkowski, who previously served as Executive Director at Alpine until 2026, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to his new role.
Budkowski’s extensive background in Formula 1 spans over two decades, including senior roles with Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA, and Renault/Alpine. His expertise in engineering, regulatory, and executive leadership positions him as a valuable asset to the Cadillac team. The appointment follows a planned leadership transition as the organization evolves from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance.
Budkowski’s Vision for Cadillac’s Future
In his new role, Budkowski aims to build an elite organization with a winning mindset. He emphasizes the importance of maximizing car development within the cost cap and turning every team function towards competition. His focus will be on aligning people, tools, and information flow to ensure quick decision-making and continuous improvement in car performance.
“Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition,” Budkowski stated. “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.” He further highlighted the need for a driven, relentless approach, obsessed with detail and process, and able to execute with precision on race day.
The Strategic Importance of the Appointment
Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, expressed enthusiasm about Budkowski’s appointment. “Marcin’s appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” Towriss said. “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.”
Towriss praised Budkowski’s exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise, and strategic leadership, which will strengthen the organization and help develop the winning mindset, tools, and processes required for long-term success. He also acknowledged the contributions of Graeme Lowdon, the previous Team Principal, who played a crucial role in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up.
Looking Ahead to the Dutch Grand Prix
As the Cadillac Formula 1 Team returns to the track following the summer break, they enter the Dutch Grand Prix with valuable learnings from the first half of their debut season. Budkowski’s leadership will be pivotal as the team sharpens its focus on the next phase of its competitive journey. The Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled for August 21-23, will be the first opportunity to see Budkowski’s strategic vision in action.
The appointment of Marcin Budkowski as Team Principal signifies a significant step forward for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. With his extensive experience and strategic leadership, Budkowski is poised to drive the team towards greater heights in the competitive world of Formula 1. As the team prepares for the Dutch Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Budkowski and his ability to lead Cadillac to success in the 2026 season.
