Cadillac Formula 1 Team has confirmed that it will hand Colton Herta four opportunities to get equipped with its car throughout the season.
The nine-time IndyCar race-winner joined the American squad ahead of this season as its official test drive, dovetailing with his participation in Formula 2.
Herta’s move from IndyCar to F2 was seen as a major statement of intent to seek a future F1 drive, having been linked with seats at teams over the last few seasons.
And with the Silverstone-based outfit required to field rookies in four FP1 sessions across the season, the 26-year-old will be finally handed a chance at up-to-date F1 machinery.
Herta will fill that quota himself, beginning at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix on June 12, followed by three as-of-yet unconfirmed races after that.
In a statement, Herta said: “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the team in a full Grand Prix environment and am fully focused on learning from every appearance.
“I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo and Valtteri as much as possible.”
“Colton is a top talent, which he has not only proved by building an impressive resume in the NTT IndyCar Series before joining us, but also with a strong start to his Formula 2 season,” said Team Principal, Graeme Lowdon.
“Completing all four of our young driver FP1 sessions is a natural next step in his Test Driver role, and I look forward to seeing what he can bring in terms of development and focus.”
Herta has completed a seat fitting ahead of his debut appearance, and will return to the track at the Miami Grand Prix in two weeks, with F2’s schedule rejigged after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
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