Cadillac Formula 1 Team Welcomes Colton Herta as Test Driver Ahead of 2026 Debut
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has officially confirmed that American racing talent Colton Herta will serve as its first-ever Test Driver, as the organization continues preparations for its highly anticipated entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2026. Herta, a nine-time winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, brings both youthful energy and proven racing pedigree to Cadillac’s ambitious project.
For the 25-year-old driver, this new chapter represents a homecoming of sorts to European racing, a field he first experienced nearly a decade ago. Herta, the son of former IndyCar and ChampCar driver Bryan Herta, launched his European racing career in 2015. During his time in the Euroformula Open Championship, he captured four race victories, six podiums, and five pole positions. His efforts also extended to British Formula 3, where he competed in six events, standing on the podium three times and claiming a victory at the legendary Brands Hatch circuit. By 2017, he returned to the United States, setting in motion a career that would soon establish him as one of America’s brightest racing stars.
Since entering INDYCAR, Herta has carved out an impressive résumé. Over the course of seven full seasons, he has amassed nine race victories, 16 pole positions, and more than 1,000 laps led across 116 career starts. His breakthrough moment came in 2019 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where he became the youngest driver in history to win an INDYCAR SERIES race and secure a pole position—an achievement that underscored his immense potential and made headlines across the motorsport world.
Herta’s talents are not confined to open-wheel competition. He has also enjoyed significant success in sports car racing, particularly in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He scored class wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2019 and 2022, while in 2024 he stood atop the podium overall at the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring. These accomplishments demonstrate his versatility and ability to adapt to different racing disciplines, skills that will serve him well as he transitions into a role within Formula 1.
With Cadillac F1 preparing for its debut, Herta becomes the first Test Driver announced by the team. His signing follows last month’s headline-grabbing confirmation that Formula 1 veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Pérez will be the team’s full-time race drivers when the new season begins in 2026. While details of Herta’s competitive racing program for that year remain under wraps, his inclusion in the lineup signals Cadillac’s intent to blend experience with fresh American talent.
For Herta, the opportunity is both personal and professional. “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team as a Test Driver,” he said. “This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working toward for a long time. To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step toward that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team.”
Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, emphasized the significance of adding Herta to the roster. “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.”
General Motors President Mark Reuss echoed that enthusiasm, highlighting how Herta’s background in American racing aligns with Cadillac’s vision. “Colton is an accomplished young driver with solid roots in American motorsports who will bring sharp insights and a relentless drive to push performance forward to the team. Colton is the latest addition to our crew of drivers, joining Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, as announced last week. This lineup, supported by our engineering hubs, combines world-class talent, innovation, and determination that will accelerate our progress as Cadillac F1 moves toward Melbourne in March.”
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team is being established with the backing of TWG Motorsports and General Motors, combining engineering expertise from both sides of the Atlantic. Operations are spread across Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Silverstone in the United Kingdom, ensuring a strong foundation for its entry into the world’s most technologically advanced motorsport series. With a clear mission to “dream big and deliver,” Cadillac F1 is building everything from scratch, aiming not only for on-track success but also to foster an inclusive, values-driven team culture.
TWG Motorsports, the motorsport arm of TWG Global, plays a crucial role in this project. The organization brings together a wide-ranging portfolio that includes INDYCAR, Formula E, IMSA, and NASCAR. Its partnerships span across multiple racing disciplines, with ownership stakes in Andretti Global, Wayne Taylor Racing, and Spire Motorsports. By leveraging technical depth, competitive experience, and strategic collaboration, TWG Motorsports is positioning Cadillac’s Formula 1 entry as more than just a new team—it is a bold statement of intent in the global motorsport landscape.
As anticipation builds toward the 2026 season, Cadillac’s decision to sign Colton Herta signals not only its commitment to nurturing American talent but also its broader ambition to establish itself as a competitive force in Formula 1. With Bottas, Pérez, and now Herta forming its core driver group, the stage is set for Cadillac F1 to make a memorable debut when the lights go out in Melbourne.
