Cadillac confirmed today that IndyCar star Colton Herta will serve as Test Driver for its Formula 1 entry, as the American marque gears up for its debut in the 2026 World Championship.
Herta, 25, is the first driver outside of the announced race line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to be named by the new outfit. The Californian is one of IndyCar’s standout talents, with nine career victories, 16 pole positions and more than 1,000 laps led in 116 starts. He remains the youngest ever IndyCar race winner and pole sitter, having achieved both in 2019 at the Circuit of the Americas.
The son of former IndyCar and Champ Car racer Bryan Herta, Colton began his career in Europe in 2015. Over two years he scored four victories and six podiums in Euroformula Open, before racing in British F3 where he won at Brands Hatch.
He returned to the United States in 2017, carving out a successful IndyCar career, alongside multiple IMSA sportscar triumphs including class wins at Daytona and overall victory at the 2024 Sebring 12 Hours.
The move to Cadillac marks a return to European competition and gives Herta his first formal role within Formula 1 machinery. Announcements on his 2026 racing programme beyond the testing role are expected later.
Herta: Dream opportunity
Herta said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Test Driver. This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working towards for a long time. 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 F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon praised the signing: “We are delighted to welcome Colton Herta as a Test Driver. Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years.
“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," added Lowden.
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