Colton Herta embraces "Super Special" F1 practice debut with Cadillac

Colton Herta is gearing up for a milestone moment in his motorsport career, expressing immense enthusiasm ahead of his maiden Formula 1 free practice outing with Cadillac.

Herta’s trajectory shifted significantly when he signed as Cadillac’s official test driver for 2026. This pivotal role runs parallel to his transition into Formula 2, a strategic move designed to accelerate his ultimate objective of racing in F1. To pursue this goal, Herta made the bold decision to step away from a highly successful career in the IndyCar Series.

A calculated path to Formula 1

"I mean, so much. It's always been my goal of coming over here and doing this and doing F2 is to prepare myself to be a Formula 1 driver the best I can, with Cadillac in mind," Herta explained, highlighting the deliberate nature of his career pivot.

"So, it's cool to see that kind of coming together. My first taste of the car in Barcelona is going to be super special. That's a place that a lot of us drivers know really well."

As Cadillac prepares for his trackside integration, Herta’s upcoming sessions mark a crucial step in his preparation for the pinnacle of motorsport.

Returning to familiar territory

For Herta, making his FP1 debut in Barcelona offers a distinct advantage. The Spanish venue has long been a cornerstone of European single-seater development, providing a familiar baseline for drivers climbing the junior ranks.

"Basically, all of winter testing in Formula 1 for a long time has taken place in Spain or Portugal. And when it's in Spain, it's usually at Barcelona," Herta noted. "But people don't tell you that when it's cheaper to run in race cars in F4 and F3, even in F2, basically all your testing happens in Barcelona, 80% of it through the winter."

Despite his extensive experience at the circuit during his formative years, Herta acknowledged the gap since his last visit. "So, it's a place that's somewhat familiar to me. Still, I haven't been back there since 2016, so 10 years ago, but the track hasn't changed too much."

Adapting to circuit modifications

While the fundamental layout of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remains largely intact, Herta is aware of the minor adjustments made to the track since his last visit.

Reacting to these updates, the former IndyCar driver remained unfazed. "The last two corners, I'll take that. There are a lot of places that I haven't been to, and I have to learn 20 corners. So, if I have to relearn two corners, I'll take that. That's fine."

Herta is also prepared for the nuanced evolutionary changes that naturally occur at any racing facility over time. "Some of the kerb profiling changes and some of the abrasions on the track or bumps might change here or there, but for the most part, it's a place that I'll be pretty comfortable with, I think. Looking forward to it. I'm super excited for it. It's going to be super cool."