- Budkowski has joined Cadillac’s Formula 1 project, citing its ambitious backing by TWG Motorsports and General Motors as central to his decision.
- He describes Cadillac’s ownership group as motorsport-minded winners who are simultaneously realistic about the scale of the Formula 1 challenge.
- Budkowski identifies directness, action-orientation, transparency, and trust as the leadership pillars he is bringing to Cadillac’s F1 programme.
Budkowski Explains Why Cadillac’s Formula 1 Project Won Him Over
Newly appointed Cadillac Formula 1 chief Marcin Budkowski has opened up on the reasoning behind his high-profile move to the American-backed outfit, making clear that it was the unique combination of serious financial commitment, genuine motorsport passion at ownership level, and a realistic understanding of what Formula 1 demands that convinced him to come on board.
Budkowski acknowledged that while Cadillac is not an entirely blank-sheet-of-paper start-up, it still offers a degree of creative influence far beyond what is available inside a long-established Formula 1 organisation. “It’s not exactly the same as starting a team from the ground, but you still can have a lot more influence than within an established organisation,” he said. “It’s very ambitious, it’s a great project, it is backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors. It’s got a very prestigious name in Cadillac. It’s well-funded, but also our owners are all motorsport people.”
Crucially, Budkowski emphasised that the Cadillac ownership group brings something beyond mere financial firepower — a winning mentality tempered by a grounded appreciation of the sport’s difficulty. “They love motorsport, they understand motorsport, they’re winners, they want to win, they have a lot of ambition, but they’re also realistic and understand the difficulty of the challenge, and that Formula 1 is like no other category in the world,” he explained. “We have 10 very competitive, very professional competitors on the grid that have taken years to get to where they are, and I think that mix of ambition, winning spirit and realistic approach was very important for me when I made the decision to join the project.”
‘There’s the Time for Discussion and There’s a Time for Action’: Budkowski’s Leadership Philosophy
With Cadillac now firmly in focus as a serious new entrant on the Formula 1 grid, attention turns to the kind of leadership culture Budkowski intends to build. His self-portrait is one of a leader who prizes open dialogue but is equally insistent on decisive execution once a course of action has been agreed upon.
“Where to start?” Budkowski responded when pressed on his leadership style. “We talked about listening. I listen a lot, I approach things with an open mind – people and ideas and organisations. But I also like to act and like to move, so for me I’m very open. I’m listening, and I’m going to take all the views on board and try to get to the best possible solution for any problem. But then there’s the time for discussion and there’s a time for action.”
Budkowski made clear that once the Cadillac team commits to a direction, he expects full collective commitment from everyone involved. “From the moment we make a decision, and we go for [it], I expect everybody to go strong. I’m very direct in my interactions, but I’m also very open. Trust and transparency are key in terms of building a cohesive management and team.” He also noted a natural cultural alignment with Cadillac’s American ownership structure, adding: “That’s also why I like working for an American team. Americans are very direct and like action and that’s how I am as well. I think, from that point of view, we get on really well with the owners and the leaders of this team as we see things very similarly.”
Why This Matters
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 — backed by TWG Motorsports and the weight of the General Motors brand — represents one of the most scrutinised new team launches in the sport’s recent history. The presence of a prestigious American automotive nameplate raises the commercial and competitive stakes considerably, and the choice of leadership is therefore not merely an internal personnel decision but a public statement of intent. Budkowski’s appointment signals that Cadillac is prioritising experienced Formula 1 operational knowledge alongside its considerable resources. His previous experience within the sport’s regulatory and team structures means he arrives with an understanding of the institutional complexity that has historically challenged new entrants. His emphasis on balancing ambition with realism also suggests Cadillac is positioning itself for a structured, sustainable build rather than expecting overnight competitiveness against teams with decades of accumulated development knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Marcin Budkowski’s role at Cadillac Formula 1?
- Budkowski has joined Cadillac’s Formula 1 project in a senior leadership capacity, guiding the team through what he describes as an ambitious but realistic programme to compete at the highest level of the sport.
- Who owns and backs the Cadillac Formula 1 team?
- The Cadillac Formula 1 project is backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, with Budkowski describing the ownership group as seasoned motorsport figures who combine a genuine winning mentality with an understanding of Formula 1’s unique competitive difficulty.
- How does Budkowski describe his leadership approach at Cadillac?
- Budkowski characterises himself as an open and attentive listener who nonetheless demands decisive action once decisions are made, prioritising directness, trust, and transparency as the foundations of a cohesive team culture — qualities he says align naturally with Cadillac’s American ownership group.
