Skip to main content
Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Colton Herta leaves IndyCar to join Cadillac’s Formula 1 team

AP photo by Michael Conroy / Andretti Global driver Colton Herta prepares for Indianapolis 500 qualifying on May 17. Herta, who has competed in the IndyCar Series on a full-time basis since 2019, is leaving the American open-wheel series to become a test driver for Cadillac's Formula 1 team that will debut in 2026.
AP photo by Michael Conroy / Andretti Global driver Colton Herta prepares for Indianapolis 500 qualifying on May 17. Herta, who has competed in the IndyCar Series on a full-time basis since 2019, is leaving the American open-wheel series to become a test driver for Cadillac's Formula 1 team that will debut in 2026. AP photo by Michael Conroy / Andretti Global driver Colton Herta prepares for Indianapolis 500 qualifying on May 17. Herta, who has competed in the IndyCar Series on a full-time basis since 2019, is leaving the American open-wheel series to become a test driver for Cadillac's Formula 1 team that will debut in 2026.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press 3 min read

IndyCar veteran Colton Herta has been named a test driver for the new Cadillac team in Formula 1.

The move, announced Wednesday, gives the team its first American driver and takes Herta from the American open-wheel series to an opportunity with the international open-wheel circuit.

The move had been speculated for the past two weeks, but both Herta and team co-owner Dan Towriss refused to address the talks. The F1 program originally began as a project for Michael Andretti to help build a true American team around Herta, but the 25-year-old California native lacks the super license he needs to be eligible to compete in F1.

The team instead last week announced F1 veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its drivers for its 2026 launch, but will now work toward Herta becoming integrated in the team, serving as its test driver and working toward earning his super license.

He will not compete in IndyCar in 2026, and his racing plans for next season will be announced at a later date. Cadillac is believed to be working on landing him a full-time ride in F2, the feeder series a step below F1.