Cadillac confirmed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their 2026 line-up some time ago, opting for an experienced combination to lead the team in their first F1 season.
Many other candidates, from Felipe Drugovich to Zhou Guanyu, were considered before ultimately being overlooked.
Someone who has been linked to Cadillac’s F1 project since its inception is Colton Herta, who was mentioned as a candidate for a seat as early as 2024. Whilst Herta missed out on a place on next year’s grid, he is very much in the frame for 2027.
O’Ward would “be shocked” if Herta doesn’t have 2027 F1 seat
Colton Herta has been close to racing in Formula 1 on a few occasions in recent years. During the summer of 2022, Herta was Red Bull’s first choice to replace Pierre Gasly at VCARB.
Negotiations are understood to have advanced until Herta’s lack of SuperLicense points became a limiting factor. The FIA’s decision against giving the American an exemption forced Red Bull to look elsewhere.
In the years since then, the 25-year-old has been consistently linked with Cadillac and their F1 endeavours. When the US team’s entry into Formula 1 for 2026 was confirmed, he was the first name mentioned for a full-time seat.
These whispers emerged at the end of 2024, when Herta still didn’t have enough SL points to enter the grid. However, there was optimism he could secure the necessary points in 2025 with a strong season in IndyCar.
Unfortunately for Herta, a 7th place finish in this year’s IndyCar standings was insufficient. This made it easier for Cadillac to decide on the experienced duo of Perez and Bottas for 2026.
Despite this, the American driver is still a part of Cadillac’s long-term plans. He will race in Formula 2 next season with the sole purpose of securing the necessary points to race in Formula 1.
Speaking with RACER, IndyCar’s Pato O’Ward revealed his confidence that Herta will be an F1 driver in 2027:
“He’s been a great competitor in IndyCar, and I wish him the best. I think I’d be shocked to not see him in Formula 1 in 2027 – I don’t think he’d be doing this switch if that wasn’t on the table for him.
“So I’m super excited for him, and I really want him to do well, because he’s going to be our IndyCar representation… He’s definitely got a lot of guys that are pushing for him to do well outside of just being in Formula 2 next year.
“We want him to make it to Formula 1, and we want him to do well.”
Pressure on Herta’s shoulders
For obvious reasons, the next twelve months will be high-stakes for Colton Herta. As a seasoned IndyCar driver, he will represent the series when he competes in Formula 2.
Given that Formula 2 is a feeder series, Herta will be expected to fight near the front. His competition will consist of far younger and less experienced drivers – meaning next season is essentially an audition for an F1 seat in 2027.
Should the American fail to distinguish himself next year, his worthiness of a place in Formula 1 could be in doubt. After all, there are other IndyCar drivers (such as Alex Palou) who have secured far better results in recent seasons.
There is no denying Herta’s pace, so it is understandable why Cadillac are willing to invest in him. With that said, a strong season in Formula 2 is the bare minimum for the 25-year-old.
Not only for the SL points, but also to represent IndyCar well in what is a feeder series for F1.
Main photo: Sam Bloxham/LAT Images (Red Bull content pool)
