Cadillac signs Herta, F2 stint likely for Super License

Colton Herta has officially joined Cadillac’s new Formula 1 project, but his path to the grid almost certainly now runs through Formula 2.

The 25-year-old Californian, whose father Bryan also raced in Indycar, has been named test driver for Cadillac’s 2026 entry, but while the press release confirmed his role, it avoided mentioning a crucial rumoured detail - Herta is expected to step out of Indycar to race in F2, most likely with Prema, to earn the Super License points he is still missing.

L’Equipe reports that Herta sits six points short of the FIA’s threshold. The deficit could be erased either by logging six FP1 outings in 2026, finishing in the top eight of F2, or a combination of the two.

"My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal," Herta said.

Cadillac has already locked in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its race drivers, leaving Herta to focus on testing duties, but not everyone is convinced by the way the team is being built.

"It will be difficult," former Racing Bulls boss Franz Tost told Speed Week. "The structure is unclear to me. The team operates with the design team from the USA, part of which is based in England.

The 69-year-old Austrian added, "You have to question the efficiency, also because of the time difference. I would have based the team entirely in England. I also don't understand the choice of driver," added the 69-year-old Austrian. "A veteran is fine, but they should have brought a youngster as well. But we'll see how it goes."