Cadillac announce former Alpine Executive Director Marcin Budkowski as new Team Principal

Cadillac have announced that former Alpine boss Marcin Budkowski will become the new Team Principal of the American outfit.

Budkowski previously acted as Executive Director of the Alpine squad until his exit in 2022, having previously joined from the FIA in 2018. He has since been working as a television pundit in his native Poland.

Now Budkowski will return to the paddock in his new position, marking a change in leadership for Cadillac as the team prepare for the second half of their maiden campaign in Formula 1.

Graeme Lowdon had previously acted as Team Principal at the squad.

"Marcin's appointment marks another important step in the continued evolution of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team," said Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac team. "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.

“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 and help us develop the winning mindset, tools and processes required for long-term success.

“We’re grateful to Graeme Lowdon for his leadership and the role he played in forming the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from the ground up. His contributions helped establish a strong foundation in our build-up phase, and we thank him for his commitment and wish him well.”

Budkowski commented: “Cadillac Formula 1 Team has an extraordinary foundation and ambition. 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.

“That means building an elite organisation with a winning mindset – driven, relentless in the face of setbacks, obsessed with detail and process, and able to execute with precision on race day.

“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. It is a privilege to be leading Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s on-track efforts, starting in Zandvoort next weekend.”

As well as holding roles with Alpine and the FIA, Budkowski has also worked with teams including Prost, Ferrari and McLaren, with his experience spanning engineering and leadership.

The appointment comes as part of a “planned leadership transition”, Cadillac have said, as the organisation “evolves from its initial build phase into the next stage of racing performance”.