Cadillac explain reason behind surprise F1 summer break bombshell

Cadillac have replaced team principal Graeme Lowdon with former Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski, in a significant leadership shake-up during the F1 summer break.

The 11th team on the grid, who are yet to score a point across 11 grands prix in their debut F1 season, announced the change on Wednesday, with Budkowski set to take the reins from next weekend's Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

CEO Dan Towriss framed the move as part of a planned transition rather than a reaction to Cadillac's struggles at the back of the field.

"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 said.

"As we enter this new era for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Marcin brings exceptional F1 experience, technical expertise and strategic leadership that will strengthen our organisation."

Towriss thanked the outgoing Lowdon for his work in establishing the team from scratch, adding: "His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build-up phase, and we thank him for his commitment and wish him well."

From build phase to performance phase

Cadillac sit 11th and last in the constructors' championship with zero points, nine retirements and a best finish of P13. Drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been unable to trouble the top 10 in either qualifying or races, and the team's closest brush with points came in Monaco, where Perez briefly held 10th before a time penalty dropped him back.

Budkowski, 49, brings over two decades of F1 experience spanning senior roles at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA and Renault/Alpine, where he served as executive director. Since leaving Alpine in early 2022, he has been working in an advisory capacity across motorsport.

His first task will be to sharpen Cadillac's operational performance and accelerate car development within the cost cap.

"This is a phase of huge opportunity for the team, one that will be defined by a clear objective: maximising car development within the cost cap and turning every team function on to compete," Budkowski said.

"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."