Potential Drivers for the New Cadillac F1 Team

With Cadillac gearing up to make its Formula 1 debut in 2026, speculations are rife about who will be steering their high-performance machines. Among the frontrunners is Colton Herta, a name that has consistently surfaced since the project’s inception.

Colton Herta: The Leading Candidate for Cadillac F1 Team

In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Mario Andretti, a board director associated with the Cadillac project, expressed his belief that Herta is the strongest contender to drive one of their cars. Juan Pablo Montoya, a successful racer in both F1 and IndyCar, echoes this sentiment.

Montoya believes that Herta has what it takes to race for the Cadillac team, but emphasizes the need for thorough preparation. He suggests that Herta would require extensive testing to get up to speed with the demands of Formula 1 racing. Despite these challenges, Montoya is optimistic about Herta’s potential in F1.

Intriguingly, Montoya hinted at a possibility that has not been publicly discussed—Herta could join Cadillac as a reserve driver initially, before moving into a race seat. However, he cautions against the risks Herta might face by leaving his current position in one of IndyCar’s top teams for an entirely new F1 team.

Montoya warns that Herta’s reputation could suffer if he struggles in Formula 1. He points out that if Herta were to leave his current team, they might replace him with someone who performs better, potentially leaving no room for Herta in the future. This, Montoya suggests, is a risk that Herta would need to carefully consider before making the move to F1.