Why Herta?

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Three reasons why Cadillac were spot on signing Colton Herta as a 2026 Formula 1 test driver   

Tyler Rowlinson   Thu 4 September 2025 11:00, UK 

The IndyCar star will be part of the F1 paddock next season after years of speculation linking him to the pinnacle of motorsport. He will now get his chance with newcomers Cadillac, who join the grid as the 11th team in 2026. Cadillac have signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their drivers for next year, opting for experience with their first pairing in F1. Herta will work closely with the duo as a test and reserve driver, in what will likely feature simulator work, TPC tests and possibly FP1 appearances.

Herta was targeting a main seat at Cadillac, with it being understood that the team wanted to sign an American driver. However, superlicence points proved to be a problem, with General Motors ultimately going for Bottas and Perez. But the team have kept the 25-year-old in mind as he joins Cadillac as their third driver, and there are several reasons why they have made the right decision with Herta’s signing.

As aforementioned, Herta had been on Cadillac’s radar for some time. The team identified him as an option from IndyCar via his Andretti connections – Cadillac have effectively taken over their operation at Silverstone after Andretti’s entry to F1 was rejected in 2023.

Mario Andretti was a keen admirer of Herta and considered him a top candidate when the team were assessing their options. Furthermore, ‘high-ranking’ Cadillac executives wanted to sign Herta over Bottas or Perez, but he ended up missing out. Clearly, multiple key figures at Cadillac have confidence and trust in Herta and his ability. It makes complete sense to bring him in, given his relationship with the team.

Perhaps the biggest positive Herta can bring to Cadillac is his commercial value. Technically, he will be the first driver in the paddock from the US since Logan Sargeant, after he was sacked by Williams midway through 2024.

Having an American driver in an American team goes hand-in-hand. But most importantly, he can expose Cadillac to a new audience with fans from the US and even IndyCar fans who have been watching Herta closely.

The General Motors-backed team will already be popular in the US, and Herta’s signing will give them every reason to follow them in 2026 with a keen interest.