Colton Herta to debut in F1 FP1 with Cadillac at Barcelona

IndyCar race winner Colton Herta will make his Formula 1 debut in a series of free‑practice (FP1) sessions, starting at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya. The 26‑year‑old signed a 2026 test‑driver deal with Cadillac and will compete in Formula 2 as he aims for a full‑time F1 seat.

Why it matters:

• Cadillac’s use of Herta in FP1 shows its aggressive driver‑development plan for a 2026 F1 entry, while his IndyCar‑to‑F1 path highlights a rare American talent pipeline.
• The Barcelona FP1 gives Herta a familiar testing ground, as the circuit has long served as a winter‑testing hub for F1 teams.

The details:

• He will take part in four FP1 sessions this season, with Barcelona as the first stop.
• Herta says the layout feels familiar – his last Barcelona race was in 2016 – with only minor kerb and bump changes on the final two corners.
• He called the session “super special” on the Beyond the Grid podcast, noting the circuit’s historic role in winter testing.

What's next:

• FP1 data will feed his 2025 F2 season and help Cadillac decide on a 2026 race seat.
• If the tests impress, Cadillac could name Herta its rookie driver when it launches in 2026.
• The performances will also be benchmarked against other test drivers, shaping Cadillac’s broader driver lineup for its debut season.