After departing Andretti Global and IndyCar at the end of 2025, this year Colton Herta is taking on a new challenge with Formula 2. Cadillac F1 Team have now announced that Herta will be making his debut in Formula 1 in June. This year, he will partake in all four rookie free practice one sessions for the team, the first coming in Spain. These sessions will familiarise him with the new machinery and the team, as well as provide him with the crucial points needed.

With 34 out of the 40 points needed, Herta was just shy of making his Formula 1 debut in 2026. In order to potentially join the grid next year, he needs a final six points. This means finishing F2 in eighth or higher. What looked like a step backwards was an intentional diversion for the American to realise his goal.

A Crucial Year in F2 for Herta

Formula 2 is filled with young potential aiming for Formula 1. Consequently, the field is close and highly competitive. However, Herta is going into the series with years of top-level racing experience, and backing from a Formula 1 team. This support could benefit him in his attempts to become one of the 22 drivers next year.

Herta made his Formula 2 debut in March, at the Australian Grand Prix. After qualifying 14th, his first sprint race didn’t go to plan, having contact with Nikola Tsolov and finishing P16. His first feature race was more positive, however. Utilising his racing experience, Herta made up seven positions to finish in the top ten.

Achieving points on debut was an impressive start to the season for the American. He’ll be looking to continue that form as the series heads to two new tracks. Due to the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the feeder series now heads to Herta’s home continent of North America, racing in Miami and Canada. This change provides him with crucial knowledge of Formula 1’s street tracks, but means he cannot partake in the Indianapolis 500 with his former team, Andretti Global.

Colton Herta Makes Formula 1 Debut

Aside from participating in Formula 2, free practice sessions are another way Herta can gain super license points. Formula 1 requires teams to have four rookie FP1 sessions throughout a season, two for each car. Cadillac F1 Team have now confirmed that Herta will do all their sessions, replacing both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez.

In addition to the announcement, the team shared that Herta’s debut will come at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June. This will be the first time since 2022 Herta has driven an F1 car, having previously completed a private test for McLaren in Portimão. Although, it will be his first official time on track with Cadillac which will help him gain crucial experience in the new era of Formula 1.

Each 100km completed in a free practice session will gain Herta an extra point. Therefore, if he can gain four points from these sessions, he will only require two more from Formula 2, easing some of the pressure on him. It’s not just a chance to test the car, it’s an extra opportunity to get him into the seat permanently.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time. 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.”
~ Colton Herta on his FP1 debut.

“Colton is a top talent. Completeing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural step in his Test Driver role, and I look forward to seeing what he can bring in terms of development and focus.”
~ Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal, on Herta.

2026 is a crucial year for Herta and his Formula 1 ambitions. By giving him all four FP1 sessions, Cadillac F1 Team are supporting him as best as they can in order for him to be on the grid in 2027. His Formula 2 campaign started strong, but with close competition, it’s a year about consistency and growth. These sessions will aid him, but we will have to wait and see if he can gain the points to make his dream a reality.