Colton Herta has officially joined Cadillac as a test driver in anticipation of the team's debut in Formula 1 during the 2026 season. This announcement comes just a week after Cadillac confirmed Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as their race drivers for the upcoming season.
"I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a test driver," said Herta, a nine-time IndyCar race winner. "This is a dream opportunity, and one I've been working towards for a long time."
Herta, who is linked to Cadillac through his association with the Andretti IndyCar team, expressed enthusiasm about the role, emphasizing the significance of being part of Cadillac's entry into F1 at such a crucial juncture. "My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal," he added. "For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team."
At just 25 years of age, Herta has been on the fringes of Formula 1 for a number of years. He had a development driver role with McLaren in 2022 and has attracted interest from Red Bull's junior team, AlphaTauri, during 2023. However, a key hurdle remains in Herta's pursuit of a full-time F1 seat: his failure to secure an FIA superlicence. Currently, after finishing seventh in this year's IndyCar championship, he is still five points shy of the 40 points required for the application.
With Formula 2 being a potential pathway for Herta, as it offers more superlicence points, there were reports that he was in discussions with F2 teams for the next season. This would provide him not only with the chance to earn the necessary points but also allow for participation in F1 as a support series at several race venues.
The test driver role may also offer Herta a chance to gain superlicence points, as participating in F1 practice sessions could yield him single points towards his total. However, Cadillac did not disclose specific plans regarding Herta's responsibilities in the upcoming season.
"We are delighted to welcome Colton Herta as a test driver," expressed Graeme Lowdon, the team principal for Cadillac. "Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years."
Lowdon further remarked on Herta's background, stating that his experience in high-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him the ideal candidate for the position. "He will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future," he said.
As Cadillac prepares to join Formula 1 as the 11th team on the grid next year, they will be powered by Ferrari engines and utilize a chassis constructed in the United Kingdom. Looking ahead, Cadillac has ambitions to establish its F1 operations in a new facility in Fishers, Indiana, and aims to develop its own power units by 2029.
With Herta's involvement, Cadillac is not only making strategic moves in their team composition but is also tapping into the expertise of a driver eager to transition from Indycars to the pinnacle of motorsport. The upcoming season promises to be a pivotal time for both Herta's career and Cadillac's aspirations in Formula 1.