After signing Bottas and Perez, Cadillac names test driver for debut year!

17:41, 03 Sep

Updated: 18:02, 03 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

American team Cadillac has named its test driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Cadillac is set to become the 11th team on the Formula 1 grid next year, and has previously announced experienced drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its full-time competitors for its debut campaign in the competition.

Joining from the IndyCar series, it is now also official that Colton Herta will be Cadillac's test driver for the upcoming campaign. It is also official that he will no longer compete in IndyCar next year.

Colton Herta visiting the 2022 Miami Grand Prix

"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. To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up," Herta began in the team's press release about this next opportunity.

"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's team principal, Graeme Lowdon said: "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.

"His experience in top-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him an ideal fit for this role, and 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.”

Who is Colton Herta?

After competing two years in junior series in Europe in 2015 and 2016, Herta rose through the ranks in the United States.

Since the 2021 season, he has been driving the #26 Andretti Global car in IndyCar. He has won nine times in the series throughout his career.

After finishing seventh in the drivers' standings this year, Herta missed out on an FIA super license. In order to have 40 points, he needed to finish at least fourth this campaign.