Building Cadillac's F1 Team from Scratch: Peter Crolla's Challenge

Peter Crolla is a familiar name in the Formula 1 paddock. Having helmed Haas since its inception, he now holds a crucial role at Cadillac, the new team set to join the grid in 2026. But this journey is not just about changing desks—it's about building everything from the ground up.

When Cadillac began its search for a race team manager a year before its debut, Crolla was at Haas after nine years of service. The offer came from Graeme Lowdon, then team principal. For Crolla, it was a rare opportunity he couldn't refuse: building a team again, ten years after his first experience with Haas.

“I'd been at Haas for over nine years, and I was definitely ready for a change and a new challenge. I needed something to get my excitement back for the sport,” Crolla told Autosport at the Belgian GP, before the team's leadership changed to Marcin Budkowski. “I love the element of setting up a team. There's a great deal of pride in that, and everything aligned at the right time.”

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A Decisive Nine-Month Journey

Building a team from scratch is not an instant job. Crolla started with an empty building and a plan, then was given full authority to realize his vision. That process took nine months, which he calls the most enjoyable period of his career.

“That nine-month period was probably the most enjoyable of my career, from starting with an empty building and a plan, and being given that authority to create your vision,” he recalled. The momentum, autonomy, and excitement were truly unmatched.

The role of race team manager itself is vast. From organizing the team during events to liaising with the FIA and F1 management when on-track action begins. But starting from zero adds an extra foundational layer—something rare in F1 given the scarcity of new entrants.

Learning from Haas Experience

Crolla's experience at Haas proved invaluable. “Back then, the sport was still in the Bernie Ecclestone era. Scale was a big thing, and it was also my first time doing it. I worked with great people and learned a lot,” he explained. His biggest lesson? The calendar and team requirements have grown significantly since then.

“I wanted to ensure we approached this as a more modern project,” he added. With that experience, Crolla brings a fresh approach more adaptable to regulatory and technological changes.

Now, with Budkowski replacing Lowdon as team principal, Cadillac remains on track. Crolla and his team continue to work hard to ensure their 2026 debut is not just about participation, but competitiveness. “It's not a nine-to-five cruise,” he emphasized.