A major surprise hit the Formula 1 summer break in 2026. Debutant team Cadillac Racing has officially fired Graeme Lowdon from his role as Team Principal. The unilateral decision was made by CEO Dan Towriss after evaluating the team's performance throughout the first half of their debut season.
In his place, Cadillac has appointed former Alpine and FIA executive Marcin Budkowski to lead the team for the remainder of 2026 and beyond. This management reshuffle immediately caught the paddock's attention, given that Lowdon was a key figure in building the team's infrastructure from the start. However, on-track results proved decisive.
Reasons for the Sacking: Performance and Team Evolution
The decision is surprising, but management has strong reasons. Here are the main points behind the firm move:
- Zero Points in 11 Races: Cadillac has failed to score a single point in the first 11 rounds of the 2026 season.
- Reliability Issues: The Cadillac car has often faced technical and durability problems on track, hampering their driver duo, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
- Not a Mutual Decision: Dan Towriss stressed that this is a pure management decision for the team's long-term interests, not a mutual consent agreement.
- Shift in Focus: Management believes the initial build phase under Lowdon is complete. Now, the team needs a new leader to move into the performance improvement phase.
Marcin Budkowski's Arrival
The appointment of Marcin Budkowski is expected to bring fresh air from a technical and strategic standpoint. With his strong background at the FIA and experience leading the Alpine team, Budkowski is considered to have the right competence to boost Cadillac's performance for the rest of the season.
Dan Towriss stated that Budkowski's expertise is greatly needed so Cadillac can quickly move off the back of the grid and start fighting for points in the remaining 2026 calendar. This move also signals that Cadillac is serious about building a long-term foundation in Formula 1, not just being a grid filler.
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