Herta gets Cadillac F1 role ahead of likely F2 switch

Colton Herta will become a Cadillac Formula 1 test driver next year, and is looking increasingly likely to twin that role with a switch to Formula 2.

The 25-year-old, who is IndyCar’s youngest ever race-winner and has taken nine victories in the series since he joined it at the end of 2018, has long been strongly linked with the new Cadillac F1 operation.

However, Herta was overlooked for a race seat for 2026 – partly because he does not have the necessary superlicence points but also because Cadillac preferred the experienced hands of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for its first F1 campaign.

Herta clearly remains a part of the team’s long-term ambitions, though, and on Wednesday it was announced that he will be taking a test role with the squad in 2026.

But the press release announcing the news also dropped some firm hints about a major change of career direction for Herta – which comes off the back of speculation suggesting he could make a surprise switch to F2 in 2026.

Although it did not make any direct reference to F2, Cadillac stated that “the 2026 season will mark a return to the European racing ranks” for Herta, who was a race winner in MSA Formula (now British F4) in 2015, took wins and pole positions during a Euroformula Open campaign in 2016, and the same year contested six races in the BRDC British F3 series – winning at Brands Hatch.

Cadillac’s statement added: “Announcements on Herta’s 2026 racing programme will be made in due course.”

Taking on a Cadillac test driver role would almost certainly involve taking part in Friday practice sessions and getting fully embedded with the team, which would be difficult to do at least in first half of next season if he continued to race in IndyCar in the United States – although its seasons tend to finish in September.

Testing alongside an F2 campaign would make much more sense, and it would also have the double benefit of keeping him race-sharp as well as helping add to his superlicence points tally.

Off the back of the last three seasons in IndyCar, Herta currently has 35 superlicence points – five short of the 40 required to be allowed to race in F1.

He has enough to take part in practice sessions, however, and each Friday FP1 run he completes will help earn him an additional point, as long as he completes it without picking up any infractions.

Furthermore, a strong F2 season could help him add extra points to get over the line too – especially as at the end of next year he will lose the point he accrued in 2023 for finishing 10th in the IndyCar standings.

Speaking about the opportunity to become a Cadillac test driver, Herta said: “This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working towards for a long time.

“To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal.

“For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team.”

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon said that having an American driver in such a role was a key part of the team’s plans.

“Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, racecraft, and maturity well beyond his years,” he said. “He will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future.

“Having an American driver join an American Formula 1 team is a hugely significant moment, not only for our team, but for American motorsport as a whole.

“Colton represents the passion, ambition, and competitive spirit that define the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and we are proud to have him carry the American flag with us on the world stage.”

Though any F2 move has not been announced, the Andretti IndyCar team has formally announced Herta’s exit – so there is a surprise new seat opening in the driver market.

However, two-time series champion Will Power, whose exit from Penske, after 17 years with the team, was announced on Tuesday, has replaced Herta alongside Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood for 2026.