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Colton Herta Confirms Formula 2 Move for 2026 Alongside Cadillac F1 Test Role
IndyCar frontrunner Colton Herta is set to join the Formula 1 feeder series in 2026, combining his F2 debut with a test driver position for Cadillac's upcoming F1 entry.
By Michael de Vries - 2025-11-03T16:54:24.000Z - 2 min read
American driver Colton Herta has confirmed his commitment to compete in Formula 2 beginning in the 2026 season. The move places the established IndyCar competitor directly into the primary feeder series for Formula 1, aligning with his new appointment as a test driver for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team, which is slated to make its championship debut in the same year.
Herta, who finished as the runner-up in the 2024 IndyCar series, approaches his Formula 2 challenge with a grounded perspective. Acknowledging the intensity of the competition, he expressed a realistic outlook, stating that it would be naive to anticipate victory in his very first F2 outing, tempering expectations for an immediate dominant performance.
The 2026 season marks a significant juncture for Cadillac, as the automotive giant prepares its entry into Formula 1. Herta’s role as a test driver for the new American outfit positions him at the forefront of their technical development. Cadillac has already named veteran drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their primary race pairing for their inaugural season in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Herta's dual role provides a clear pathway, leveraging his experience from North American open-wheel racing within the European single-seater structure. Competing in Formula 2 offers an essential opportunity to adapt to the specific demands of the F1 support category, including different tire compounds, car characteristics, and race formats, all critical for any potential future F1 race seat.
His transition from a prominent role in IndyCar, where he has consistently performed at the front, underscores the ambition behind this career shift. The opportunity to gain direct experience with a Formula 1 team through the test driver program, while simultaneously competing in F2, allows him to integrate into the F1 ecosystem from multiple angles.
The challenge in Formula 2 is well-known for its competitive depth and the steep learning curve it presents to all newcomers, regardless of their prior experience. For Herta, this represents not just a new chapter, but a strategic step designed to keep his Formula 1 aspirations firmly in view as Cadillac prepares its own significant entry onto the world stage.