Formula 1 News: Cadillac confirms Herta for FP1 in Barcelona

The Cadillac Formula 1^® Team has officially announced that test driver Colton Herta (pictured) will take part in four Free Practice 1 sessions during the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking the American’s first official appearances on a Grand Prix weekend with the squad.

Herta, 26, from Santa Clarita, California, will make his debut in FP1 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The remaining three sessions will be confirmed later in the year. The program follows extensive simulator work Herta has already completed at the team’s facility in Charlotte and is designed to accelerate his integration into the F1 environment.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” Herta said in the team’s announcement. “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 and Valtteri as much as possible.”

The news comes on the heels of Herta’s impressive start to his rookie season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Competing for Hitech Grand Prix, the former IndyCar star scored points with a seventh-place finish in the feature race at Albert Park in Melbourne. He is also scheduled to race in F2 during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, when the series makes its debut at the Miami Autodrome.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon highlighted Herta’s credentials and potential. “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,” Lowdon said. “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.”

Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings, echoed that sentiment: “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.”

The FP1 outings will give Herta valuable track time alongside regular drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, while also helping the American squad gather data and feedback as it builds toward its debut season as a full constructor in 2026.

This structured development path for Herta underscores Cadillac’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent as it prepares to enter Formula 1 as the sport’s 11th team.