Who is Colton Herta, new Cadillac F1 test driver for 2026?

After months of speculation over the potential line-up for its historic Formula 1 debut in 2026, Cadillac has finally revealed its plans—not only announcing its race drivers but also confirming its new test driver, Colton Herta.

Born in Santa Clarita, California, on March 30, 2000, Herta is best known for his IndyCar career, having become the youngest driver ever to win in America’s top open-wheel series. His journey in motorsport, however, began much earlier—at just six years old, when he first took his steps in karting.

Herta made his official single-seater debut in 2013 at just 13 years old, finishing runner-up in the SBF2000 Winter Series. The following year he stepped up to U.S. F2000, though without making a major impact, ending the season 15th in the standings.

The first real breakthrough came in 2016, at age 16, when Colton entered British F3 before moving on to the Euroformula Open, where he finished third overall with four wins, six podiums, and five pole positions.

After his European stint, Herta returned to the United States to compete in Indy Lights, the feeder series to IndyCar—essentially America’s equivalent of Formula 2.

Herta ended the season with two wins and third place in the standings, but most notably was crowned Rookie of the Year with Steinbrenner Racing. He went one better the following season, finishing runner-up with four victories, just behind Patricio O’Ward.

In 2018 he made the big jump to IndyCar in the final race of the championship, but it was the following year that proved a turning point in his career. At only 18, Herta, as mentioned earlier, became the youngest winner in series history by triumphing at the IndyCar Classic at Circuit of the Americas, before also becoming the youngest pole-sitter.

In 2020, with support from Andretti, the American enjoyed his strongest campaign yet, finishing third in the championship. Over the next three seasons he placed fifth once and tenth twice, before bouncing back in 2024 to finish runner-up to Alex Palou, again driving for Andretti.

Over the years, Herta has also built ties with Formula 1, joining McLaren’s development program in 2022 and testing the 2021 MCL35M at Portimão.

Rumors of a full-time F1 seat have circulated for some time, but the lack of sufficient points to secure a FIA Super Licence has consistently held him back. Now, with Cadillac, he will have the chance to stake his claim from much closer quarters, with the hope of climbing the ranks in the years ahead and eventually earning a full-time seat.