Building a New Era: Cadillac’s Trackside Team Assembly from the Ground Up

When Cadillac launched its Formula 1 venture, now set to debut on the 2026 grid, the search for a race team manager led them to Peter Crolla, a seasoned professional from Haas where he spent over nine years. The timing aligned perfectly, as Crolla was eager for a new challenge after years of building the team from its inception in 2016.

Crolla joined forces with Graeme Lowdon, a key architect of Cadillac’s F1 entry, and together they assembled a trackside team from scratch over nine months. “I needed something reigniting my passion for the sport,” Crolla shared at the Belgian Grand Prix. “Setting up a team from scratch is incredibly rewarding. The momentum, autonomy, and excitement of creating your vision—nothing compares.”

Cadillac race team manager Peter Crolla (right) with former team principal Graeme Lowdon, technical consultant Pat Symonds and Valtteri Bottas

Photo by: Cadillac

Race team management encompasses logistical organization and collaboration with governing bodies like the FIA. For Crolla, the task was compounded by the need to build a competitive team from zero, a rarity in Formula 1’s landscape. “The sport has evolved since my Haas days,” Crolla noted. “This time, we approached it with a comprehensive strategy—no compromises on readiness.”

He outlined three pillars for their first year: reliable participation, operational excellence, and competitive performance. “Starting small isn’t feasible in F1. You must be fully equipped from day one to maximize resources and budget,” Crolla emphasized.

Peter Crolla previously spent a decade at Haas in a similar role.

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

The Silverstone facility was operational when Crolla arrived, but the traveling trackside team was a blank slate. Collaborating with new hires, he and his team tackled everything from equipment procurement to establishing real-time operational protocols. “We built a collective vision without pre-existing guidelines. It was about precision and commitment,” Crolla said. “No excuses. Every detail mattered.”

Recruitment posed unique challenges, as candidates were often on long notice periods. “People joined mid-2025 with immediate impact required,” Crolla explained. “No honeymoon phase—just action.” Many came from established teams, driven by the allure of shaping a new legacy. “It’s not for the complacent,” Crolla cautioned. “This is serious business.”

“Nothing that we’ve done is out of sync with how I expected it to be. I probably expected it to be a little bit harder, and probably expected it to be a little bit more disappointing at times.” – Crolla.

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Cadillac met all deadlines, completing winter testing and the Australian Grand Prix. However, reliability issues and falling behind competitors like Aston Martin highlighted ongoing hurdles. Crolla acknowledged the struggle: “There were literal crises to overcome. Every milestone required intense effort.”

Looking ahead, Cadillac plans to expand to a U.S. headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, and grow its Silverstone base. “Racing is just one phase of our journey,” Crolla asserts. “Success demands operational excellence across all departments. We’re only beginning.”

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