American motorsport fans, it is officially happening. After years of speculation, super licenses, and IndyCar domination, Colton Herta is finally getting his shot in a Formula 1car during a live Grand Prix weekend.

The newly formed Cadillac Formula 1 Team had already confirmed that the 26-year-old California native stsnds as its official test driver for the 2026 season. As part of his development role, Herta is slated to take the wheel for four FP1 sessions this year, making his long-awaited F1 weekend debut at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

An American Driver for the American Team

Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 is already one of the biggest stories of the 2026 season, bringing operations from Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Silverstone to the grid. Having an American talent like Herta heavily involved in the car’s development is the perfect storyline for the GM-backed squad.

Until now, Herta’s F1 prep with Cadillac has been strictly confined to simulator work at the team’s Charlotte facility. Now, he gets to test the limits of the car on actual asphalt.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” Herta said via a press release sent to MotorBiscuit. “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.”

He added that his goal for the practice sessions is to “help the team, Checo and Valtteri as much as possible.”

Taking the F2 Route to The Pinnacle

To properly prepare for the jump to F1, Herta has been competing in the Formula 2 Championship, proving he can adapt to European open-wheelers. He already kicked off his F2 campaign with a strong showing at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, walking away with a seventh-place finish in the Feature Race to score championship points on his debut.

Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon pointed to this adaptability as the reason Herta is getting the practice seat time.

“Colton is a top talent, which he has not only proved by building an impressive resume in the NTT IndyCar Series before joining us, but also with a strong start to his Formula 2 season,” Lowdon explained. “Completing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural next step in his Test Driver role.”

Herta will also be pulling double duty in front of a home crowd later this year. When Formula 2 makes its inaugural visit to the Miami Autodrome during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Herta will be on the grid, looking to put on a show for the American fans while continuing his march toward a full-time F1 seat.