Cadillac announce driver debut at upcoming F1 grand prix

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Cadillac announce driver debut at upcoming F1 grand prix

Colton Herta stepped across from IndyCar to Formula 2 to make his F1 dream possible

By Sheona Mountford.

Sunday 19 April 2026 23:59

Colton Herta is set to make his Formula 1 session debut at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona this June, marking a significant step in his career.

The American has built an impressive resume in IndyCar Series, securing multiple race victories with Andretti Autosport and finishing runner-up in the 2024 championship.

Despite that success, a full-time move to Formula 1 remains out of reach for now, as Herta has yet to meet the FIA’s super licence threshold, currently sitting on 35 points, just short of the 40 required to compete in the sport.

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Although IndyCar is arguably a more competitive category, with F2 largely honing the talents of up-and-coming talent, the Formula 2 championship offers more super licence points.

Both the first, second and third finishers in F2 acquire that magic 40 needed for F1, while IndyCar only rewards the champion with 40 points, 30 for second and 20 for third. The third place finisher in IndyCar also earns the same allocation of points as the third place finisher in the Japanese Super Formula and Formula 3.

As Cadillac's test driver and an F1 rookie, however, Herta fulfils the requirements for the FP1 rookie sessions this season and will get his chance to impress in 2026.

Every FP1 session Herta will contest in 2026

Colton Herta will take part in four rookie sessions - where it is mandatory for each driver at an F1 team to give up their seat on two occasions, for a driver who has started no more than two grand prix races - which will see him jump into the Cadillac for FP1.

While the other three sessions haven't been revealed, the first of which will be Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix (formerly the Spanish Grand Prix, which is now the Madrid race in September) and takes place on Friday, June 12.

"I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time," Herta said.

"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."

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon also added: "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.

"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."

Is the FIA Super Licence system fair?

The FIA Super Licence points system has been called out as unfair, particularly since Herta's move to F2 was announced.

F1 pundit Will Buxton wrote on social media after the news dropped last year, that: "I’ve said it a thousand times. The F1 super licence system was an idiotic kneejerk reaction to the inexorable rise of a talent who turned out to be an all time great.

"If it is to remain, the allocation needs a drastic overhaul, particularly when it comes to IndyCar points."

F1 Cadillac Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya Colton Herta