5 key things we heard from Cadillac after their TP change
Cadillac has appointed Marcin Budkowski as its new Team Principal, replacing Graeme Lowdon, with CEO Dan Towriss citing a planned leadership transition as the team moves from initial build to development phase.
Cadillac announced Marcin Budkowski as its new Team Principal, effective immediately, replacing Graeme Lowdon. Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, stated the leadership change was always intended as the team transitions from its initial build phase to a development focus. He emphasized the decision was his own, made to align with Cadillac’s long-term ambitions and the timing of the summer break. Budkowski, previously at Alpine and with experience at Prost, Ferrari, McLaren, and the FIA, will oversee the team’s next steps.
Budkowski’s immediate priorities include addressing Cadillac’s reliability issues from the first half of the season. He plans to spend his first week between the factory and the track in Zandvoort to observe operations and strengthen the link between trackside and factory teams. He acknowledged the risk of disconnect when reliability problems arise and aims to ensure both sides work cohesively. His short-term focus will be on understanding the team’s structure and processes before the Dutch Grand Prix.
Long-term planning is a key focus for Budkowski, who stressed that Formula 1 success requires sustained effort rather than quick fixes. He intends to align the team’s vision, resources, and spending toward both short-term and long-term objectives. Budkowski highlighted the need for a structured organization and clear strategy, noting that no single change can instantly improve competitiveness. His role will involve setting a direction and ensuring the team works toward shared goals.
Towriss and Budkowski addressed speculation about driver Sergio Perez’s future, dismissing rumors linking him to Williams. Towriss praised Perez’s performance and expressed confidence in his continued presence with Cadillac. He also downplayed the idea of replacing experienced drivers with younger talent, stating the current lineup is pushing the team forward. Towriss acknowledged Formula 1’s fluid nature but emphasized satisfaction with the current driver pairing.