Peter Crolla: The Challenge of Building Cadillac from Scratch

When Cadillac began its search for a race team manager for its 2026 F1 debut, it didn't have to look far. Peter Crolla, who had long served at Haas, became the prime target. For Crolla, the chance to build a team from the ground up for a second time was an irresistible challenge.

"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 Motorsport.com at the Belgian Grand Prix, before the team's leadership change.

In the interview, Crolla revealed that the nine-month period of preparing the team at a new base was the most enjoyable of his career. "Starting with an empty building and a plan, being given the authority to create your vision, it was absolutely brilliant," he said.

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Crolla emphasized that building a team from zero is not just administrative work. As race team manager, he is responsible for the track-side organization, coordination with the FIA, and logistics management. However, the biggest challenge is building the team's foundation, including recruiting personnel and structuring the operation.

His experience at Haas in 2016 was invaluable. "The sport was a very different place back then. We were still in the Bernie Ecclestone era. Scale was a big thing, and it was also my first time doing it. I learned a lot," Crolla recalled. "I think that set me up well for doing it the second time round."

With Valtteri Bottas making his debut with Cadillac, Crolla feels proud to see the team he helped build starting to compete. "It's not a nine-to-five cruise. It's about dedication and love for the sport," he concluded.