Colton Herta Confirmed for 2026 F2 Season with Hitech

Colton Herta 2026 F2 Hitech Cadillac F1 marks the next step in the American’s path toward Formula 1. The move confirms his full-season return to European racing and strengthens Cadillac’s long-term driver programme ahead of its 2026 F1 debut.
The American driver, already one of IndyCar’s youngest race winners, will combine a full European campaign with ongoing Formula 1 development duties.
The move strengthens Cadillac’s long-term plan ahead of its 2026 Formula 1 debut, with Herta working alongside confirmed race drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

It’s official now.
The whispers were right.

Herta will join FIA Formula 2 next season with Hitech, completing the final link in Cadillac’s driver development plan. His name has been floating around the paddock for months, ever since Cadillac announced him as its official Formula 1 Test Driver earlier this year.

Now that title comes with a full European campaign attached, a season that takes him back to where it all began.

Key Points

• Colton Herta confirmed to race for Hitech in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.
• Continues as Cadillac Formula 1 Test Driver alongside Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
• Strengthens Cadillac’s long-term driver development pathway ahead of its 2026 F1 debut.

Cadillac’s Development Pathway: Herta’s Next Step

Why F2 Matters for Herta

For Herta, this isn’t new territory. Before IndyCar, before the Stateside spotlight, there was a stretch of European racing. British F4. British F3. Spanish F3. Euroformula Open. Ten wins. Eleven poles. A natural talent that never quite got its full European story.

That changes now.

Joining Hitech gives Herta one of the sharpest seats in F2. Same weekends as F1. Same circuits. From Monaco to Monza, Spa to Silverstone. All under Cadillac’s watch, and all feeding directly into the team’s debut Formula 1 campaign next year.

A Dual Programme: F2 and F1 Test Duties

Cadillac’s Long-Term Vision

Herta will keep his Test Driver role running in parallel, splitting time between the simulator and select Grand Prix weekends. It’s a neat alignment. The F2 calendar almost mirrors F1, letting Cadillac’s engineers gather real data while Herta gains wheel-to-wheel mileage in live conditions.

It’s a rare overlap, and one that speaks volumes about Cadillac’s intent. This isn’t branding. It’s a blueprint being built in real time.

What They Said: Official Quotes

Colton Herta:

“I’m incredibly excited to officially be joining F2 for the 2026 season. This is an amazing opportunity to develop my skills in European racing and to measure myself against some of the best young drivers in the world. Racing on the same weekends as Formula 1 will give me first-hand experience of that environment and help me grow as part of the Cadillac F1 family. I’m very grateful to Cadillac and Hitech for their trust and support and I can’t wait to get started.”

Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cadillac Formula 1 Team:

“Colton has already shown exceptional talent and professionalism throughout his career. His move into Formula 2 with Hitech is a natural and important next step in his development toward Formula 1. Competing in F2 will strengthen his racecraft and deepen his integration with our F1 operation. We’re proud of his commitment and can’t wait to see him take on this challenge with Hitech, a team proven at developing future stars.”

Coffee Corner Take

This was the next logical step, but it still feels significant.

Because it isn’t just Colton Herta stepping into F2. It’s Cadillac showing its hand. Building from the ground up. Doing what manufacturers rarely do anymore: investing in a proper pathway.

For years, the gap between America’s best and Formula 1 has been more cultural than technical. Herta’s programme changes that. He’s back in Europe, embedded inside the system Cadillac is building to last.

And make no mistake, this sets him up for more.
With Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas confirmed for Cadillac’s debut Formula 1 lineup, Herta becomes the clear long-term project.

The driver they’re quietly grooming for the future, whilst coupled with two good experienced drivers to start them off. It’s a move that not only makes sense but makes a statement to the long term future of Cadillac Formula One team.

It’s not hype. It’s structure.
And that’s how a real Formula 1 plan begins.

FAQs – Colton Herta 2026 F2 Hitech Cadillac F1

Will Colton Herta race in Formula 1?
Not yet. Herta will compete in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech while continuing his development as Cadillac’s official Formula 1 Test Driver.

Who are Cadillac’s confirmed Formula 1 drivers for 2026?
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are confirmed as Cadillac’s race drivers for its debut Formula 1 season.

How does Herta’s F2 season support Cadillac’s F1 programme?
His F2 schedule mirrors much of the F1 calendar, allowing Cadillac’s engineers to share data and development work between his race weekends and the team’s F1 testing operations.

How many FIA Super Licence points does Colton Herta have?
Herta currently holds 35 Super Licence points from his recent IndyCar seasons. He earned 30 points for finishing second in the 2024 championship, plus four more for seventh in 2025, and one from 2023 that will expire at the start of 2026.
To qualify for Formula 1, he needs 40 points in total. That means finishing inside the top eight in the 2026 Formula 2 standings or completing enough official F1 practice sessions with Cadillac to secure the remaining points.