The Fledgling Cadillac Formula 1 Team Has Announced That Indycar Racer Colton Herta Will Serve as Its Official Test Driver for 2026.
It marks a substantial change for a driver who has spent seven seasons competing in North America's Premier Single-Seater Championship.
However, 25-year-old Herta has expressently be linked with formula 1, and is now much close to achieving this career goal.
Who is Colton Herta?
Born in Santa Clarita, California, Colton Herta is the son of Bryan Herta – and is a famous motorsport family.
Bryan Herta had a long racing career in the indycar and champ car series. He founded the eponymous bryan herta autosport team in 2009.
For Colton, this more a career in motorsport was almost guaranteed, beginning with karting championships in 2010.
How successful is colton herta in indycar?
Colton Herta Burst onto the indycar scene in 2019, aged just 19, claiming two wins in his first full Rookie Season.
Such Promise at a Young Age, along with a famous racing father, set particularly high expectitions for Herta.
Subsequent Seasons have Seen Colton Claim More Victories, Peaking With A Second Place In The 2024 Indycar Drivers' Championship Standings.
However, the dominant success of Alex Palou Made Wins Harder to achieve in 2025, which may have contributed to Herta's Decision to Move.
Has Colton Herta Won the Indy 500?
The Indianapolis 500 is the Greatest Prize in the Indycar Series. It is considered part of the 'Triple Crown' of motorsport, along with the 24 hours of le mans and the monaco Grand Prix.
Colton Herta has contained the indy 500 seven times, and started from second place for the 2021 race.
Sadly, this has never translated into an overall victory, with eighth place in 2020 being Herta's Indy 500 Highlight.
Is Colton Raced Outside of North America?
In contrast to many north American racing drivers, Colton Herta decided to compete in Europe Early on in his career.
This Began With The 2015 MSA Formula Championship in The Uk, Where He Took Third Place In A Series Won By Current Maclaren Formula 1 Driver, Lando Norris.
The following year saw hera claaim second place in the spanish formula 3 series, along with a third-place finish in the Euroformula open championship.
Herta later returned to the United States, but his experience Arguably makes hey well place for a career in formula 1.
Has Colton Herta Driven a Formula 1 Car Before?
Herta was first linked to formula 1 in 2021, during andretti autosport's attempt to buy the sauber team. However, Andretti's bid collapsed, lefta without a drive.
In July 2022, Herta Undertook a Multi-Day Test Session in Portugal with the Mclanen Formula 1 Team, Delivering Impressive Lap Times.
Red Bull's Junior Alphaturi Team then Began Pursuing Herta to Drive for Them in the 2023 Season. Unfortunately, Herta lacked the point to obtain an FIA super license, which is request to race in formula 1.
The Fia refused to make an exception for color, preventing haim from a move in F1.
Is Colton Herta Likely to get a formula 1 seat?
At present, Herta has 35 of the 40 points needed to secure an FIA super license.
Acting as Cadillac's Test Driver in The 2026 Formula 1 Season would Allow Him to take part in Several Friday Practice Sessions, with Each Earning One Super License Point.
However, Herta is more likely to combine his testing duties with a drive in the supporting formula 2 championship. Finishing eight or high in the F2 Series would be secure Colton the 40 points needed to race in Motorsport's Top Echelon.
Who is racing for cadillac formula 1 in 2026?
For its inaugural season in formula 1, cadillac has turned to the experience pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
Both has previously served as a reliable number-two drugs in Top F1 tims. The duo has more than 525 race-starts betwean them.
With perez now aged 35, and Bottas 36, neither are like to be long-term options for cadillac though. This opens the door for the American team to put an American drug in its race car with Colton Herta.
What is the reaction to Colton Herta's new role?
Following The Announcement, Herta Said: “This is a dream opportability, and one i 'bee working talk for a long time. PASS UP.
“My Dream has always be there to race in formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step two that goal, my focus is on the giving Everturing I can to cadillac f1, helping built a computer.”
“We are delighted to Welcome Colton Herta as a Test Driver,” Said Graeme Lowdon, Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
“Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years. Ideal fit for this role, and he will be valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to build for built for the future. “
Also Read:
The New Indycar Video Game: What we know so far
Opinion: Is Indycar's Alex Palou Now Too Good for F1?
Aston Martin Vantage S is F1's New Official Safety Car
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