Bottas Admits Cadillac F1 Leadership Changes Bigger Than He Expected

Valtteri Bottas admits the team principal change at Cadillac F1 was bigger change than the changes he expected, in first response.

Over the summer break, Cadillac F1 announced the arrival of Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal in place of Graeme Lowdon. The transition was on expected lines as per TWG Motorsports’ Dan Towriss, but he agreed that it happened earlier than what was penned to happen.

He saw the right opportunity to bring in Budkowski, whose technical experience made the difference. There is a communication problem between the factory and trackside, which Towriss hopes can be filled by the experience of the Pole, who has been part of Alpine and also the FIA in the past.

For Cadillac F1 driver Bottas, the news came as a surprise. The Finn reckons it is a big change in the middle of the season, a change which he probably didn’t see coming. But he respects the decision taken by Towriss and welcomes Budkowski, whom he doesn’t know yet.

He also has praise for the work done by Lowdon, to built Cadillac F1 team from scratch. “I think a big change like this in the middle of the season is always initially surprising,” said Bottas to media at Dutch GP. “But then speaking with Dan, etc, explained to me all the reasons why this change and I respect that.

“I think if we just keep everything the same, we’re never going to process, so we’re going to change some things. Obviously, it’s a real shame that it is Graeme who got out, because first of all, he’s a friend of mine, but I also think he’s done a great job setting up the team, getting ready to be on the grid in the first race. So, my hat off for that, but at the same time, also welcoming Marcin.

“I don’t know him that well from the past, I’ve seen him around, but for sure, in the next days, we’re going to spend a lot of time together,” summed up Bottas. When pressed on if he feels otherwise about the decision and that things can go wrong, the Finn reiterated that he doesn’t mean that.

He gets philosophical, leaving on time to decide if the change is good or bad. He wants to see how Budkowski is, having not worked with him in the past. At the same time, the F1 racer winner highlights the personal relation that he has had with Lowdon and hopes that he can meet him soon.

“I respect that,” continued Bottas. “With any change, time will always tell what change is good, what change is bad, so I can’t predict the future. But yeah, I’ve only, like I said, I don’t know Marcin yet that well. I haven’t worked with him in the past.

“I’ve worked with Graeme quite a bit in the past, and it’s just a personal relationship. But yeah, time will tell. Yes [I have spoken with Graeme], [but] just over messages. I hope I can meet him soon,” summed up Bottas.