Colton Herta’s F1 Dream Revived with Cadillac After AlphaTauri Setback
Summary
IndyCar star Colton Herta’s near‑miss with AlphaTauri over Super Licence points has been replaced by a test‑driver role at new team Cadillac and a seat in Formula 2. The move could finally turn his long‑standing F1 ambition into a reality.
IndyCar winner Colton Herta says his Formula 1 hopes have been reignited after a “very real” AlphaTauri chance fell through due to insufficient Super Licence points. The 23‑year‑old has signed as a test driver for the new Cadillac F1 team and will compete in Formula 2 to chase a race seat.
Why it matters:
- Herta’s move from IndyCar to the F1 ladder shows the growing talent flow between the two series.
- Cadillac’s debut needs a driver with race wins and an American profile; Herta delivers both, aiding sponsor appeal.
The details:
- AlphaTauri: Red Bull’s junior team offered Herta a contract, but lacking the 40 Super Licence points the deal fell apart in late 2023.
- Cadillac: The American‑backed outfit signed Herta as a 2026 test driver, guaranteeing four FP1 outings beginning in Barcelona.
- Formula 2: He joined Hitech Grand Prix for 2025, posted a P7 in his debut feature race at Melbourne and is targeting a full‑time drive.
- IndyCar fallback: After the F1 talks stalled, Herta re‑signed with Andretti Autosport, keeping his IndyCar seat while pursuing the F1 route.
What's next:
- Herta will race the upcoming F2 round in Miami, his first event at home, and hopes his speed will convince Cadillac to promote him.
- Cadillac will review his FP1 performance in 2026 before deciding on a race‑seat for 2027.
- If he gathers the remaining Super Licence points in F2, Herta could meet the 40‑point threshold and become the first American to jump from IndyCar straight to a full‑time F1 seat.
Original Article :https://www.planetf1.com/news/colton-herta-f1-dream-alphatauri-deal-collapse-cad...