Following the appointment of Marcin Budkowski as Cadillac F1’s new Team Principal, CEO of TWG Motorsports Dan Towriss opened up on the decision behind his arrival and the immediate departure of Graeme Lowdon from the role.
The 2026 F1 season marked Cadillac’s long-awaited arrival on the grid after years of work to bring the project to life. The American outfit embarked on its debut campaign with two experienced drivers in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, but Cadillac remains without a point so far this season, making them the only team yet to score in 2026.
Although Cadillac’s struggles continue on track, the team appears to be undergoing significant changes behind the scenes. Speaking in a media session, Towriss discussed Lowdon’s departure, the decision to appoint Budkowski as Team Principal and what the future holds for the newest team on the F1 grid.
Towriss thankful for Lowdon’s time at Cadillac F1
Lowdon joined Cadillac’s F1 project at the end of 2024, taking on a key leadership role as the team geared towards its entry into the championship. Having led the project since then, the Briton played a significant role in bringing Cadillac’s vision to life. However, following Budkowski’s appointment, Lowdon has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.
“Yeah, just a huge thanks and shout out to Graeme for his friendship, for his leadership and direction, especially through the entry process,” Towriss said while thanking Lowdon and paying tribute to his contribution to the team over the past few years.
“Again, as many of you know, that was a long and arduous process and Graeme’s knowledge of Formula 1, of the regulations, his ability to recruit members to a team that didn’t have an entry.
“Those are some of the challenges that we faced as a brand new entry coming into Formula 1, having even less than a year to put all the final pieces together to show up on the grid or show up at the early season practice sessions and so there are a lot of accomplishments.
“We’re very proud of and very grateful to Graeme for what he contributed to the team and now we say goodbye to Graeme and we look to this new phase with Marcin in terms of what Cadillac F1 will look like in the future.”
A change bound to happen
When asked whether Lowdon’s departure was something that had been in the works, Towriss explained: “Yeah, no, I mean, I think Graeme and I always talked about that there would be a transition at some point, that this decision was mine.
“And so, I think, you know, there’s a very narrow window of opportunity, you know, when you look at what we’re building and an opportunity to build something new and innovative. And what I didn’t want to do was build something that was, that’s already been done, something that’s old and then try to improve it.”
He added: “And so, I think that the time for that change came sooner than was expected. But really, I wouldn’t say that the performance or the teething issues over the last few weeks, that it’s really about just having a clear vision on what we’re building in the future, the rate of progress and making sure that that matches the ambitions of ownership.”
The value of Budkowski’s perspective
Budkowski is no stranger to the F1 paddock, having enjoyed a long and successful career in the sport. Most recently, he served as Alpine’s Executive Director until January 2022, following previous aerodynamic-related roles with Prost, Ferrari and McLaren.
“I wouldn’t put a timetable on it. I think it was going to be a wait and see kind of thing,” Towriss said when discussing how the timeline of Budkowski’s involvement with the team unfolded.
“But again, I think as we look to the future, I think a model with a very strong technical team principal. And I think as you look at Marcin’s background, what he’s accomplished in Formula 1, he certainly fits the bill, but also combined with very strong leadership.
“I think as we’re going through the track over a gruelling, you know, 24 race or however many races we’re getting in this season, you know, that leadership is important in setting the direction for a winning mindset across the organisation from the garage back to the factory and building those foundations.”
“We’ve only scratched the surface” says Towriss on what Cadillac F1 has to offer
Having spent several years away from an active role within an F1 team, he highlighted the value of Budkowski’s perspective and knowledge. Nonetheless, Towriss believes that under the Pole’s leadership, this is only the beginning of what Cadillac F1 has to offer.
He continued: “And then also, I think the time that Marcin’s had away from Formula 1, I think, provides him a perspective to look at both how Formula 1 is evolved and developed, look at the resources across General Motors, TWG and the like, and really look at what the future, what a future vision of a Formula 1 team can look like, the role of AI and those kinds of things.
“I think we’ve only scratched the surface of the tool set that GM has to offer in Formula 1 through Cadillac Formula 1. And so, I think there’s more work to be done there. And so, bringing all of that, harnessing all of those changes together, I think are really going to set us on a different trajectory to build that long-term organisation.”
Towriss: Budkowski’s technical background gives a “unique perspective”
Cadillac F1 has been hampered by issues in recent rounds, particularly with its braking and cooling systems. While the team appears to have settled into the F1 paddock well, the results have yet to reflect that progress. Towriss explained that the changes are part of addressing the early challenges that come with establishing a new team.
“Look, I mean, I think a lot of those issues, you know, which, to differing degrees, do exist. I think our teething issues, I think was the phrase used before. I built a lot of businesses over the years, and while racing and Formula One in particular is its own special place, there are a lot of commonalities across that.
“And I think in new organisations, communication is always going to be a focal point to improve, making sure things are organised [and] aligned correctly, and maintaining morale through that building phase. And so those are really our issues that are to be expected. They do exist in different degrees.”
He added: “But as you say, I think Marcin’s technical background does give him a unique perspective. But even away from his technical background, I think he just demonstrates, he’s a strong leader, and he’s a great communicator.
“And I think that’s going to really be an asset as we look to speed up the evolution of what are these early stage business issues, and really start to develop that and get to that next level as an organisation.
“But it’s definitely, you know, the factory is a focal point, you know, not because it’s underperforming, but because it’s just to be expected in a new organisation. And it’s definitely one of the foundational points here that we’re going to be focusing on in the coming months.”
Lowdon’s involvement was not in an “interim capacity”
“Well, I mean, I don’t think it’s fair to say that he was here in an interim capacity,” Towriss said when asked whether Lowdon was aware that a replacement for him was planned for this year. “You know, it really is a function of performance and how things evolved. And, those are certainly going to be discussions that are going to be kept between Graeme and myself, as to where those aligned and where they didn’t, you know, align.
“What I can say is, what was accomplished, you know, I have immense respect for. And, you know, Graeme and I have been through a lot over, again, this isn’t an interim period for me and for Graeme.
“It’s almost a four-year period of planning and building and doing all the pieces. And so, it was the right time based on the circumstances, you know, that exist both within the sport and within the team. And so, this is the right time and the right place to make that step going forward.”
Noting that it is difficult to keep high-profiled secrets in the F1 paddock, Towriss expressed his excitement about Cadillac F1’s future under Budkowski’s leadership.
He added: “And anytime we’re making a transition in Formula 1, as you guys know, it’s very difficult to keep it quiet, that there weren’t, you know, a myriad of leaks around that. But here we are, again, very grateful to Graeme for what he brought to the team and very excited about Marcin’s leadership and what the future looks like for Cadillac.”
Towriss reveals timeline of Lowdon’s departure
Towriss revealed that the process of finding Lowdon’s replacement began several months ago as the team considered the next phase of its F1 project. While the final conversation with Lowdon only took place recently, Towriss acknowledged that making the transition was not an easy process.
“So again, it was my decision. It wasn’t a mutual decision. I think, really the process started a few months ago to explore what, you know, really thinking about what the next phase for Cadillac Formula One looks like, what’s the right timing, how would that look, and then the capabilities of the various folks out there, and obviously, we were delighted in the conversation with Marcin and how that relationship evolved.
“Yeah, so Graeme and I spoke this morning, so I think it is a very recent conversation from that perspective, but there’s no easy way to make this transition within Formula One,” he said.
The sensitive nature of the process meant the team had to keep Budkowski’s involvement under wraps. And as a result, the transition appeared more abrupt than it otherwise might have been, but Towriss said it was necessary given the nature of F1.
“Can you imagine the press if, you know, Marcin’s strolling through for a tour of the factory, or we’re having these conversations, it becomes destabilising at that point, and so it’s important to respect the purview of the leadership that’s in place at that time, and so it does compress the decision-making, the timeline, and how these things come together.
“It makes it feel more abrupt than it would be otherwise, but it’s, you know, it’s the nature of Formula One, and it’s the way it had to happen.”
