Marcin Budkowski – From Engineer to Formula 1 Leader

Marcin Budkowski’s career in Formula 1 is a story of progression through every layer of a high-performance organisation. He began in 2001 as an aerodynamicist at Prost Grand Prix, building his technical foundations in one of the most demanding engineering environments in the world.

In 2002, he joined Ferrari, working within the team led by Jean Todt and Ross Brawn. During his time there (2002–2007), Ferrari secured multiple World Championships. Being part of this era gave Marcin first-hand insight into how sustained excellence is created: rigorous processes, clear leadership, relentless development and a culture where every individual understands their contribution to the bigger picture.

These early years shaped his understanding of performance, teamwork and accountability at the highest level of global sport.

Driving Innovation at McLaren

In 2007, Marcin moved to McLaren, taking on key roles both at headquarters and trackside. His responsibilities expanded steadily, reflecting both his technical expertise and his leadership capabilities.

In 2012, he was appointed Head of Aerodynamics, leading a department of more than 100 specialists. In Formula 1, aerodynamic performance is critical. Gains are measured in fractions, and innovation must be constant. Managing such a large and highly skilled team required more than technical knowledge. It demanded clarity of direction, cross-functional collaboration and the ability to make fast decisions with incomplete data.

At McLaren, Marcin refined his approach to leading experts: setting ambitious goals, aligning diverse talent and creating an environment where innovation thrives under pressure.

FIA – Governance, Safety and Regulation

In 2014, Marcin joined the FIA as Deputy to Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting. He later became Head of the F1 Technical Department in 2017. Moving from team competition to regulatory leadership gave him a completely different perspective on the sport.

At the FIA, he operated at the intersection of safety, technology and governance. He played a central role in the introduction of the Halo safety device in 2018 – a development that redefined safety standards in Formula 1. Implementing such a significant change required balancing performance, stakeholder interests, technical constraints and long-term risk management.

This period strengthened his expertise in strategic oversight, negotiation and leading change in complex, high-stakes environments.

Executive Leadership at Renault and Alpine F1 Team

Marcin returned to team operations with Renault F1 as Executive Director. In this role, he managed 750 staff across design, engineering, production and logistics. Leading an organisation of that scale within Formula 1 requires precision, alignment and strong cultural foundations.

He later became Team Director of the Alpine F1 Team, guiding the team through the 2021 season. Under his leadership, Alpine secured its first Grand Prix victory. Achieving such a milestone demands more than technical upgrades. It requires trust, resilience and the ability to maintain focus across an entire organisation throughout a demanding global season.

Marcin’s leadership style combines analytical thinking with clear communication and a strong belief in collective responsibility.

Strategic Leadership & Business Insights – Book Marcin Budkowski for Your Event

Today, Marcin Budkowski translates lessons from elite motorsport into practical insights for businesses and organisations. Formula 1 is an environment where:

• Performance is measured in milliseconds

• Teams operate under constant scrutiny

• Innovation cycles are relentless

• Decisions must be made under intense pressure

In his keynotes, Marcin explores how organisations can:

• Build high-performance cultures where accountability and collaboration coexist

• Lead highly skilled experts without stifling creativity

• Strengthen decision-making in fast-moving and uncertain environments

• Manage risk while continuing to innovate

• Align strategy, operations and people around a shared goal

His experience spans engineering excellence, regulatory governance and executive leadership. This rare combination allows him to connect technical precision with big-picture strategy.

When you book Marcin Budkowski for your event, you gain access to insights forged in one of the most competitive arenas in the world. His talks are direct, structured and grounded in real-world experience from Ferrari, McLaren, the FIA and Alpine F1 Team.

For organisations seeking sharper execution, stronger leadership and a culture that delivers results under pressure, Marcin Budkowski offers lessons proven at the highest level of global motorsport.