Cadillac CEO reveals test driver Colton Herta nearly signed Red Bull F1 contract

Cadillac Formula 1 CEO Dan Towriss has disclosed that the team's test driver, IndyCar star Colton Herta, once received a contract offer from Red Bull Racing. Towriss spent a month convincing the American driver to decline the offer and remain committed to the Andretti Cadillac project as it pursues its F1 entry.

Why it matters:

This revelation highlights the high regard in which Herta is held within the F1 paddock and underscores the intense competition for top driving talent. For the prospective Andretti Cadillac team, securing Herta—a driver coveted by a top team like Red Bull—is a significant coup and a statement of intent as they work to finalize their grid slot.

The details:

• Dan Towriss shared the story on the F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast, explaining Herta's path to becoming their test driver.
• Herta first impressed during a simulator session at Sauber (now Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber), where Towriss said he was "lightning fast" and surpassed the team's current F1 drivers' times within 90 minutes.
• A subsequent test with McLaren yielded a "stellar" report on his performance.
• During the driver market reshuffle following Oscar Piastri's move from Alpine to McLaren, Herta tested again and performed so well he "came home with a Red Bull contract to sign."
• Towriss personally intervened, spending a month persuading Herta and his representatives to reject Red Bull's offer and stay with the Cadillac-associated project.

What's next:

Colton Herta continues as the test and development driver for the Andretti Cadillac F1 team while also competing in the FIA Formula 2 championship. His role is pivotal as the team continues its push for formal entry into Formula 1. This episode not only solidifies Herta's status as a prime candidate for a future race seat but also demonstrates the project's determination to build its future around highly sought-after talent.