Herta earns four FP1 sessions with Cadillac during 2026 F1 season

Former IndyCar racer turned F1 hopeful Colton Herta has earned four FP1 sessions with Cadillac during the 2026 season, beginning with the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June.

The 26-year old will jump aboard the Ferrari powered MAC-26 in place of regular drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in four practice sessions over the course of the season, with the aim to continue down his path towards an F1 race seat.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” said the nine-time IndyCar race winner.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the team in a full Grand Prix environment and am fully focused on learning from every appearance. I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo [Sergio] and Valtteri as much as possible.”

Cadillac’s Team Principal, Graeme Lowdon added: “Colton is a top talent, which he has not only proved by building an impressive resume in the NTT IndyCar Series before joining us, but also with a strong start to his Formula 2 season.

“Completing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural next step in his test driver role, and I look forward to seeing what he can bring in terms of development and focus.”

While the team’s CEO Dan Towriss commented: “Colton has really earned this opportunity. These sessions are a valuable opportunity for him to integrate with the team, develop his skills behind the wheel and off the track, and learn about a Grand Prix weekend from the inside.”

Herta made his Formula 2 debut for Hitech at the Australian Grand Prix in March, where he scored points in his maiden Feature Race with seventh. Earlier in the weekend, the America suffered a high profile crash during practice. Though he sits tenth overall in the standings after the first round.

F2 will now feature at the Miami Grand Prix in May, after the forced cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Herta with the opportunity to race on home soil for the first time since leaving IndyCar to pursue his path to F1.

Cadillac meanwhile in their first three Formula 1 weekends have achieved a double classified finish, with both Bottas and Perez reaching the checquered flag at the Japanese Grand Prix. Being spared the indignity too of last place in the constructors championship, which the beleaguered Aston Martin occupy.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade and is a member of the AIPS (International Sports Press Association). Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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