When Cadillac began assembling its trackside Formula 1 operation, it turned to Peter Crolla, former long-serving manager at Haas. Crolla, who spent over nine years at Haas, was ready for a new challenge and embraced the opportunity to build a team from the ground up. The recruitment process was aggressive due to lengthy notice periods, with hires joining in late 2025 and immediately contributing to a demanding nine-month build-up.

Crolla worked alongside key hires including logistics manager Pete Simmons and chief mechanic Nathan Divey to establish everything from hardware acquisition to pit stop procedures. There were no existing blueprints, requiring a collaborative approach to define what a competitive 2026 race team should look like.

The team focused on three pillars: respectable participation, reliability, and performance. Despite no prior track record, Cadillac met every deadline, completed winter testing, and fielded both cars for the season opener in Australia. Crolla emphasized that joining a start-up project isn't a "nine-to-five cruise" but demands deep commitment and resilience.

Drawing lessons from his Haas experience, Crolla ensured the team was built to scale from day one rather than growing incrementally. With trusted supplier relationships and a clear vision, Cadillac is positioning itself as a serious contender aiming to challenge established F1 giants.