2009 World Champion Jenson Button has backed Colton Herta to be a success in Formula 1 should the American driver sign with Cadillac in 2026.
The revelation that General Motors will bring Cadillac to F1 in 2026 provides an opportunity for Herta to make his long-awaited debut in Grand Prix racing.
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global’s motorsport business took majority ownership of Andretti in September, helping fast-track the revised F1 bid with Cadillac.
It is speculated that Cadillac will want to bring an American driver to F1 in 2026 and Herta is already a part of the Andretti set-up in IndyCar.
Button, who partnered the Californian at the Daytona 24 Hours in January, has backed Herta to do well in F1.
“He is extremely quick. Everything he gets into his quick,” Button amid his Sky Sports F1 presenting duties.
“In IndyCar he is extremely quick. He was my teammate when we raced at Daytona earlier this year.
“He just gets in, and he’s on it.”
“He will be quick [in F1] from the word go. There is obviously a lot of learning, very different to IndyCar. He’s got the mindset.”
Herta had his best IndyCar season to date in 2024, finishing second in the Drivers’ standings.
That has brought him within a whisker of securing the necessary FIA Super License points to be eligible for an F1 drive.
That has hampered Herta before when AlphaTauri failed to get special dispensation from the FIA to sign him for the 2023 season.
As it stands, Herta has 39 points towards his Super License, one short of the necessary 40.
To date, his F1 mileage has been limited to TPC testing with McLaren.
Button: F1 needs a competitive driver from the USA
F1 has experienced significant growth in the USA to the point it hosts three races a year Stateside.
Button, however, addressed the need for a competitive driver and team from the USA to take that interest in F1 to the next level.
“The sport has grown massively in the States and that’s great for the sport,” said Button.
“It’s at the point where we need a competitive American driver or a competitive American OEM.
“This is massive for the sport.
“Getting the interest of GM and Cadillac will bring more eyes, prospects, interest and sponsors in the future.
“The teams will take a bit of a pop which they won’t like. But in the long-term, this is great for the sport.
“It has grown so much. It is going to level out and this is the next step to give it a little kick.”
Cadillac will look to build its own power unit in time for the 2028 season to make it a bonafide American F1 outfit.
In the meantime, Cadillac will race as a Ferrari power unit customer in 2026 and ’27.
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