59. Yang Yuanqing

In the fast-paced world of global technology, few leaders have accelerated innovation and growth quite like Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo. Under his dynamic leadership, Lenovo has transformed from a regional PC maker into a US$62 billion global powerhouse, operating in 180 markets and employing over 77,000 people.

After earning degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Sheffield and an MBA from Newcastle University, Lowdon began his career in the energy sector. However, his entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to co-found several tech ventures, including Just2Clicks, a B2B platform, and Nomad Digital, a pioneer in wireless communication for transportation.

Lowdon’s love of motorsport steered him toward Eiger Racing and eventually Manor Motorsport, then a respected team in the junior racing series. His business acumen and racing insight made him instrumental in the birth of Virgin Racing, a fresh and daring entrant into Formula 1 in 2010. The team, later rebranded as Marussia F1, brought new energy to the grid. As CEO, Lowdon helped steer the team through the complexities of top-tier racing during a time of intense financial and competitive pressure.

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Following his departure from Marussia in 2015, Lowdon returned to endurance racing, keeping close ties to the motorsport world. But his Formula 1 story was far from over.

In December 2024, he was appointed team principal of the upcoming Cadillac Formula 1 Team, which is set to join the grid in 2026. Backed by General Motors and partnered with Andretti Global, Cadillac’s entry represents a bold American leap into F1—a leap that now has Lowdon’s experienced hands on the wheel.

With Cadillac’s arrival, Formula 1 continues to evolve into a truly global and commercially dynamic spectacle. Lowdon’s leadership blends technical knowledge with entrepreneurial foresight—exactly what’s needed to guide a new team into one of the world’s most elite sporting competitions.

From start-ups to the starting grid, Graeme Lowdon’s journey reflects the ever-accelerating fusion of business, technology, and racing that defines modern Formula 1.