Former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon has been announced as the Team Principal of General Motors’ F1 project, ahead of the manufacturer potentially joining the grid in 2026. While the huge shakeup in management just before this 2026 opportunity may seem strange on the surface, upon digging a bit deeper, it becomes clear that not only was the change much needed but that Lowdon is an excellent choice for the position. F1 is the highest international car racing class for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars and is popular amongst fans across the world.

On November 25, it was announced that Formula 1 had reached an agreement in principle to support General Motors/Cadillac joining the grid as an 11th team in 2026. In a statement, Formula 1 confirmed that General Motors had “achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier later.

In addition, “Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”

Announcing Lowdon’s Onboarding

Now, it’s been announced that Graeme Lowdon will oversee the project. The Briton last saw active service on the pit wall with Manor Marussia, founded by Richard Branson, in 2015 in his role as the team’s Sporting Director. Lowdon most recently managed China’s first full-time F1 racer, Zhou Guanyu, who will depart Kick Sauber at the end of 2024. He also works as an executive advisor for the General Motors project.

“I’m truly honored to be appointed as the Team Principal of this exciting new team, and I would like to thank everyone involved for placing their trust in me,” said Lowdon.

“I believe that Formula 1 is the greatest team sport in the world, and teams are all about people. This is a team with a real love for and desire to go racing, and we have the experience and expertise to do just that. Racing is at the very heart of everything that we do.

“This is what I want to see in a team, and I really want to be part of it. I don’t underestimate the task ahead, and I respect the competition. I look forward to the challenge of racing. In the meantime, our work continues at pace.”

The CEO of TWG Global’s motorsport business, Dan Towriss, added, “Graeme has been advising our team for the last two years as we have built out our operations; his experience on both the technical and managerial sides of Formula 1 and other motorsports ventures will serve him well as he builds the Cadillac Formula 1 team.”

Further Endorsements from the GM President

General Motors President Mark Reuss also said, “Graeme has been a pleasure to work with over the past two years, and we’re excited he will lead our journey to the 2026 Formula 1 grid as Team Principal. He has great racing expertise, knows how to assemble a high-performing team, and embodies the values the Cadillac Formula 1 Team will represent in all its endeavors, on or off the track.”

Lowdon has spent the last two years as an advisor to the American project, which already has more than 280 staff members, including former Renault Technical Director Nick Chester and former Renault Operations Chief Rob White. His passion for Formula 1 remained, though. After acting as a motorsport consultant for several years, he returned to the paddock three years ago after playing a key role in helping Zhou Guanyu become the first Chinese driver to get a full-time seat in F1.