Keynote SpeakerMarcin Budkowski

Former Team Principal of the Alpine Formula 1 Team and FIA Deputy Race Director, Marcin Budkowski shares insights from a world where performance is measured in milliseconds and a team’s culture is as critical to success as the technologies they develop and deploy. Marcin began his career as an aerodynamicist at Prost Grand Prix in 2001, before joining Ferrari from 2002 to 2007, where he contributed to multiple World Championships under the leadership of Jean Todt and Ross Brawn.

In 2007, he joined McLaren, holding key roles both at headquarters and trackside, and in 2012 became Head of Aerodynamics, leading a team of over 100 people and driving technical performance at the sharp end of Formula 1. In 2014, Marcin moved to the FIA as Deputy to Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting and later led the Formula 1 Technical Department from 2017, playing a central role in the introduction of the Halo safety device in 2018, which redefined safety standards in the sport.

Marcin then returned to team leadership roles at Renault and Alpine Formula 1. As Executive Director of Renault F1, he managed 750 staff across design, engineering, production and logistics, and as Team Director of the Alpine Formula 1 Team, he led the team through the 2021 season, securing its first Grand Prix victory. Today, Marcin shares practical lessons from elite motorsport to help businesses enhance leadership, team culture, innovation, decision-making under pressure and risk management in high-stakes environments.