Despite confirming Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for 2026, Cadillac will be following Colton Herta’s progress closely. The 25-year-old has taken the decision to race in Formula 2 next year – a move widely seen as an indication of Cadillac’s interest in seeing him in Formula 1.
This is not the first time Herta has been linked to Cadillac’s F1 project. Before it became clear the American driver didn’t have enough superlicense points, he was regularly mentioned as a contender for a 2026 seat.
Of course, the team led by Graeme Lowdon opted for the experienced combination of Perez and Bottas.
For Herta, the priority is securing enough superlicense points to be eligible for a seat in 2026. This much is clear from his switch to Formula 2, which would make little sense without the potential to join F1.
With that said, Lowdon insists that Hera must earn his place ahead of 2027, denying suggestions that anything is guaranteed.
Lowdon explains Herta’s challenge
Cadillac will undoubtedly be one of the big unknowns heading into next season. It is almost a decade since a new team has joined the grid, when Haas shocked the entire paddock by claiming points at their debut race in 2016.
Haas achieved before the budget cap was introduced to level the playing field, making this accomplishment even more noteworthy.
Unlike Haas, who never had the ambition of being a manufacturer team, Cadillac plan to race with their own engines in 2026. The latest American team on the grid is backed by General Motors, and has ambitions of becoming contenders.
In combination with equalising measures like the budget cap and increased wind tunnel allocation compared to other teams, there is no shortage of anticipation heading into 2026.
Another variable to consider is Cadillac’s driver pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. This duo will be relied upon to guide the team through the challenges of their first year in the sport.
Meanwhile, Colton Herta will race in Formula 2 in a bid to secure enough superlicense points.
Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac team principal, told RACER about the potential for Herta to give his team a headache for their 2027 line-up:
“This is the ideal scenario [for Herta to be in contention]. And it’s not a threat for Checo and Valtteri – over and above any other threat in Formula 1.
“You want to see talent coming through Formula, [it’s] significantly better if that’s all within our family of drivers. Then it’s a better class of problem to have by any stretch.
“But to be clear, there’s no automatic arrangement. It’s not about [telling Herta] get the license points, automatically drive for a team. That’s not the case. We’ve said before we select the drivers on merit, and that’s how it’s always going to be.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Colton race. It’s a huge opportunity to learn the tyres, the circuit. He clearly knows how to race, so I’m excited to see how he gets on.”
A year for Cadillac to find their feet
Ultimately, the US outfit are in search of stability in 2026. If they finish anywhere higher than last place in the standings, picking up some points along the way, it would be a huge success.
In this sense, Bottas and Perez are perfectly suited to their needs for the next twelve months.
Inevitably, though, Cadillac will look to see if an American driver is ready to compete in Formula 1. Though US nationality is not a necessary requirement for Cadillac, it certainly wouldn’t hurt someone like Herta’s chances.
This puts added pressure on Herta, who in many ways will represent IndyCar, to deliver in Formula 2 next year.
Main photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images (Red Bull Content Pool)