IndyCar’s Colton Herta has been named as Cadillac’s F1 test driver for 2026

Fresh from naming Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its F1 drivers for 2026, Cadillac has announced IndyCar racer Colton Herta as official test driver for its debut season.

But should he have been given a seat ahead of Bottas or Perez? The talent is seemingly there: Herta is the youngest driver to have won an IndyCar race and scored a pole position (2019), while his record stands at nine wins and 16 pole positions from 116 starts in the series.

The 25-year-old is also a two-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona (2019 and 2022) and scored an overall win at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024.

“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,” said Herta.

“My dream has always been to race in Formula One, 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.”

It won’t be the first time we’ve seen Herta in Europe: after making his debut in 2015, he secured four victories, six podium finishes and five pole positions in the Euroformula Open Championship and competed in six British F3 events, earning three podium finishes including a victory at Brands Hatch before returning to America in 2017. He also tested a 2021-spec McLaren F1 car at Portimao in 2022. 

Team principal Graeme Lowdon added: “Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years. 

“His experience in top-level American motorsport 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.”