Colton Herta has been named as a take a look at driver for the Cadillac Formulation 1 workforce, and a swap from IndyCar to racing in Formulation 2 for the American stays a chance.
Cadillac’s Formulation 1 entry had beforehand been beneath the Andretti guise and initially meant to run Herta as considered one of its two race drivers. However with Herta unable to safe a Tremendous License – the Californian fell 5 factors in need of the required 40 this season – the workforce has a driver line-up of skilled pair Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for 2026.
As a way to enhance his probabilities of incomes the factors and being eligible for a Cadillac race seat in future, Herta and TWG Motorsports have been exploring the potential of creating the swap to the F1 feeder sequence subsequent season.
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Herta has now been confirmed as becoming a member of Cadillac in a take a look at driver position. As reported by RACER final week, a number of F2 groups had been sounded out concerning the potential of working Herta within the sequence, however at this stage his racing plans stay unconfirmed.
“I’m extremely excited to be becoming a member of the Cadillac Formulation 1 workforce as a take a look at driver,” Herta mentioned. “This can be a dream alternative, and one I’ve been working in direction of for a very long time. To be a part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is one thing I couldn’t move up.
“My dream has all the time been to race in Formulation 1, and I see this transfer as an enormous step in direction of that purpose. For now, my focus is on giving all the pieces I can to Cadillac F1, serving to construct a aggressive workforce.”
TWG Motorsports and Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss had spoken about attempting to create a pathway for an American driver to race in F1 in future, however workforce principal Graeme Lowdon says Herta’s skills will present loads of worth to the workforce in his preliminary position.
“We’re delighted to welcome Colton Herta as a take a look at driver,” Lowdon mentioned. “Colton is an exceptionally proficient racer with confirmed pace, race craft, and maturity effectively past his years. His expertise in top-level American motorsport as a part of the TWG Motorsport household makes him a great match for this position, and he’ll deliver useful and contemporary perception, perspective, and vitality to our workforce as we proceed to construct for the longer term.
“Having an American driver be part of an American Formulation 1 workforce is a vastly vital second, not just for our workforce, however for American motorsport as an entire. Colton represents the fervour, ambition, and aggressive spirit that outline the Cadillac Formulation 1 Workforce, and we’re proud to have him carry the American flag with us on the world stage.”
Sources counsel an F2 program might nonetheless be added to assist his Tremendous License ambitions however is just not assured. With one level expiring on the finish of the three-year cycle, Herta might want to decide up six Tremendous License factors subsequent yr if he’s to be eligible for a 2027 race seat.
Ought to he choose to race in F2, the sequence presents 40 factors to the highest three finishers in its championship, whereas a prime eight end can be sufficient for Herta, in comparison with prime six in IndyCar. There are three factors out there for a prime 10 end – in comparison with one in IndyCar – and Herta might additionally complement his complete by participating in FP1 periods for Cadillac subsequent season.
An FP1 outing that sees a driver full greater than 100km and never earn any penalties carries one Tremendous License level.
