Herta to take part in four FP1 sessions with Cadillac during 2026 season

Cadillac have announced that Colton Herta will make his practice debut with the team at the upcoming Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

American Herta, 26, is currently combining an F2 race seat with a test driver role at Cadillac’s new-for-2026 outfit, as the former IndyCar racer pushes towards a planned F1 debut in the future.

After appearing in FP1 at the Spanish venue, Herta will tackle three other Friday sessions – in place of regular drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – over the course of the season.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” said Herta, who scored points on his F2 debut with Hitech in Australia last month.

“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 [Sergio] and Valtteri as much as possible.”

Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s F1 Team Principal, commented: “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.”

Dan Towriss, Cadillac’s F1 CEO, added: “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.”

Herta will be back in action at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix weekend, with F2 being added to the schedule for the event – as well as the Canadian F1 round that follows.