Marcin Budkowski will make his debut as Cadillac Formula 1 Team Principal at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort this weekend, as the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship resumes after the summer break with Round 12 of the season.
The team confirmed Budkowski’s appointment in an official preview ahead of the Sprint weekend at the North Holland circuit. Budkowski described the event as his first opportunity to observe the Cadillac F1 trackside operation and meet the team.
“A Sprint weekend at Zandvoort is an energetic and compelling way to start my tenure with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” Budkowski said. “This is my first week with the team, and the Dutch Grand Prix is my initial opportunity to observe our trackside team in operation. I’ll be taking the time to meet everyone - though there are many familiar faces - listen to them, and understand how the team works. The team has made a strong start to its F1 program, there is a solid foundation on which to build, and I’m excited to make progress in the second half of the season.”
Drivers Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will line up for Cadillac at a circuit where both have strong records. Pérez has scored points in each of his four Dutch Grand Prix appearances, while Bottas finished on the podium at Zandvoort in 2021. Both drivers also stood on the podium at the venue during their junior racing careers.
“After an intense first half of the season, it is good that everyone gets some downtime in August, but it also feels great to be back at a racing circuit,” Pérez said. “The second half of this season presents a new range of challenges but also hopefully some great opportunities, and I can’t wait to get started. I am looking forward to getting up to speed quickly with Marcin and the rest of the team.”
Bottas highlighted the demands of the Sprint format and the unique characteristics of the Zandvoort circuit. “The Dutch Grand Prix is going to be an interesting test, with the Sprint weekend format requiring everyone to be at their very best from the moment we arrive at the circuit,” he said. “From a driver’s perspective, it’s a challenging circuit to visit, with fast, flowing corners that help you establish a good rhythm. The banking is fun too - we don’t really see these too often in an F1 car.”
The race carries added significance as it is expected to be the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future, with the current contract ending after this event. The race first joined the World Championship calendar in 1952 and was held at Zandvoort until 1985 before returning in 2021. The coastal circuit, set among sand dunes, is known for its narrow, bumpy layout, banked corners, and unpredictable weather conditions driven by strong sea winds.
The Sprint weekend format compresses the schedule, giving teams limited practice time before qualifying and racing begin, placing a premium on preparation and adaptability — a fitting challenge for Budkowski’s first race at the helm of the American-branded outfit.