Colton Herta might give Cadillac a troublesome determination over its future driver line-up in Formulation 1 if he impresses in Formulation 2 and earns a Tremendous License subsequent 12 months, admits crew principal Graeme Lowdon.
Cadillac has signed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as an skilled driver line-up for its first season in 2026, with Herta making the change from IndyCar to F2 as he seeks the required Tremendous License factors to race in F1. Ought to the Californian safe a license, he can be eligible for one of many Cadillac race seats, and Lowdon admits it’s an issue he’d wish to have in terms of the crew’s 2027 line-up.
“Each crew desires to have robust selections,” Lowdon mentioned. “I actually respect Colton’s method to what he is doing. For me, that is what an actual racing driver desires to do. He is aware of how troublesome Formulation 2 is. There’s a number of expertise coming by means of Formulation 2, you solely have to take a look at the present grid to see that, and he is aware of that as nicely.
“So I actually respect that method. For me, that is the method of an actual racing driver. We would like him to achieve success and we would like him to be taught all these items.
“That is the best state of affairs [to be knocking on the door] and it is not a risk for Checo and Valtteri, over and above another risk in Formulation 1. You wish to see expertise coming by means of Formulation 2 – considerably higher if that is all inside our household of drivers. Then it is a greater class of drawback to have by any stretch.
“However to be clear, there isn’t any computerized association. It is not about get the license factors, mechanically drive for a crew. That is not the case. We have mentioned earlier than we choose the drivers on benefit. And that is the way it’s all the time going to be.
“I am actually trying ahead to seeing Colton race. It is an enormous alternative to be taught the tires, the circuit. He clearly is aware of methods to race. So I am excited to see how he will get on.”
Cadillac accomplished a testing of earlier automotive (TPC) outing at Imola final week, utilizing a 2023 Ferrari with Sergio Perez behind the wheel. Lowdon says it’s unlikely Herta would get the identical alternatives subsequent 12 months, however says FP1 outings are being deliberate for the 25-year-old.
“We have not explored it. When a brand new crew is available in, it highlights sure areas of the laws which can be a little bit bit extra restrictive for us than anybody else,” he famous. “esting of a earlier automotive – nicely, we have not acquired a earlier automotive so we will not check it!
“Clearly there’s the FP1 alternatives, and as a crew we’ve got to dedicate quite a few these to a rookie driver. So clearly Colton is a primary candidate for that, that is for certain. However yeah, we simply must navigate by means of it.
“The best way the TPC check was accomplished this 12 months, we could not have accomplished it until Ferrari successfully donated two of their TPC days to us. Which is nice that Ferrari did that. They’re an amazing accomplice to have. Having labored with them prior to now, I do know a number of the folks there very nicely. They’re nice folks to work with.
“It is nice teamwork whenever you see one thing like that however we will not depend on that, essentially. I am unsure of precisely what element the testing program will happen, however definitely FP1s.”
