Building a Formula 1® team from the ground up is a complex and demanding task, especially for a new entrant like Cadillac Racing preparing for its 2026 debut. The responsibility of assembling a fully operational trackside team fell to Peter Crolla, who brought valuable experience from his previous role as team manager at Haas, another start-up team in the sport.
Crolla joined Cadillac about a year before their first race, leading a nine-month intensive process to establish the team’s structure and operations. His role as race team manager encompassed a wide range of duties, including team organisation, logistics, and acting as the sporting liaison with the FIA and Formula 1® management. The approach taken by Cadillac was to build a complete and capable team from the outset, focusing on three key pillars: respectable participation, reliability, and performance.
Recruitment posed a particular challenge due to the long notice periods common in Formula 1®, but the team succeeded in attracting experienced personnel from established teams who were motivated by the opportunity to be part of a new venture. Cadillac Racing marked important milestones early on, such as completing winter testing and finishing their first race in Australia, although reliability remains an area of ongoing attention.
Cadillac Racing is also expanding its physical presence, moving to a new headquarters in Indiana, USA, while continuing to develop its base in Silverstone, UK. This dual-location setup supports both the operational and technical aspects of the team as it grows. Valtteri Bottas is the team’s lead driver, bringing valuable experience to the fledgling outfit.
Reflecting on the process, Crolla described the build-up period as the most enjoyable of his career, highlighting the autonomy and momentum involved in creating a team vision from scratch. He emphasised that starting to race is just one stage in a longer journey to establish Cadillac as a competitive presence in the championship.
While Cadillac Racing faces the typical challenges of a new Formula 1® team, particularly regarding reliability, the foundations laid during this initial phase are crucial for future development. The team’s focus on building a solid structure and recruiting experienced staff aims to ensure that Cadillac can meet the demands of the sport as it continues to evolve.