![\"Oscar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/XPB_1369621_HiRes_HERTA.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOscar Piastri has backed Colton Herta’s moved to F2 in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOscar Piastri has backed Colton Herta’s moved to F2 in 2026. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Herta will join Cadillac F1 as a test and development driver<\/a> ahead of the team\u2019s 2026 debut while simultaneously competing full-time in Formula 2.<\/p>\n The move is designed to give him experience on European circuits and with Pirelli tyres, preparing him for a potential race seat in 2027.<\/p>\n Piastri, who himself navigated a rigorous junior career before breaking into F1, highlighted the benefits and limitations of testing.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, both have kind of different purposes in some ways. I think being on an F1 weekend, racing alongside F1, that\u2019s an important thing,\u201d said Piastri.<\/p>\n \u201cHis situation is a little bit different, because he\u2019s obviously the Cadillac test driver already, so it\u2019s not so much about getting yourself in front of the paddock and in front of eyeballs. Definitely being on an F1 weekend feels quite different to the racing I did before I was on an F1 weekend, so I think that\u2019s definitely important.<\/p>\n \u201cThe F1 testing, obviously getting up to speed in an F1 car is an important thing, but that testing, it has a limit to its uses. The tyres are not representative. You\u2019re often doing it in winter, or at times when the tracks are not that rubbered in. There\u2019s other cars around. The cars are old. There are a lot of limits to it.<\/p>\n \t\tWin a trip to the Adelaide 500 for you and 4 friends \ud83d\udc49: FREE ENTRY<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBut certainly, getting up to speed in an F1 car, just getting your brain used to all the different things you can change, and the speed of which things happen. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be fine coming from Indy, but there\u2019s definitely purposes for both.\u201d<\/p>\n The F2 program will allow Herta to adapt to the technical challenges of European circuits and the nuances of Pirelli tyres, which differ significantly from those in IndyCar, which uses a Firestone tyre.<\/p>\n Speaking to Sky Sports F1 during the Italian Grand Prix, Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss emphasised that a F1 race seat is far from guaranteed<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m confident Colton will get his shot, but he\u2019s got to earn it,\u201d Towriss said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not entitled to that seat; he\u2019s not guaranteed the seat from that standpoint. He\u2019s going over to prove that he belongs in Formula 1.\u201d<\/p>\n