It was only last week that Cadillac confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their 2026 line-up.

The US team emphasised the importance of signing drivers with experience, overlooking younger options like Drugovich, Schumacher and Zhou.

Cadillac also turned down the opportunity to sign an American driver, with team principal Graeme Lowdon arguing that attracting US talent is a secondary objective.

When Cadillac’s F1 entry was first confirmed, Colton Herta was frequently mentioned as a leading candidate to join the team.

A lack of Super License points, however, meant Herta was never eligible to compete in Formula 1.

This is something he is looking to change, with the 25-year-old set to race in Formula 2 next season in a bid to collect the necessary SL points to race in F1.

Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool
Herta expected to race in Formula 2 next year

Perez and Bottas celebrated their Cadillac contracts just before the F1 action returned in Zandvoort.

After missing out on seats for 2025, the two veterans managed to secure comeback ahead of the new regulations.

Since Cadillac’s driver search began, Bottas was always a favourite to reach an agreement.

His proven track record, alongside extensive simulator work with the 2026 Mercedes project, made him a logical candidate for a new team.

Bottas’ position as Mercedes reserve driver kept him active in the paddock as negotiations ramped up, something he capitalised on to secure an agreement with the US outfit.

Sergio Perez, meanwhile, was also a front-runner to join Cadillac from day one.

The Mexican is understood to have been in talks with other teams, including Alpine, before joining the American team.

Ultimately, Perez decided that Cadillac offered more security than Alpine.

Given the French outfit’s trigger-happy approach with his drivers, this is an understandable conclusion.

In any case, the 35-year-old completes a line-up devoid of any American drivers.

For a team that has been vocal about their US identity since their F1 entry was confirmed, the absence of an American in the cockpit is notable.

However, they are not abandoning this possibility after 2027.

Colton Herta, who has often been linked with Cadillac’s F1 project, is set to race in Formula 2 next year.

As first reported by RACER last week, the 25-year-old is set to compete the 2026 Formula 2 Championship.

Herta’s objective would be clear – achieve enough Super License points to be eligible to race in Formula 1.

Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool
A big risk

For the sake of clarity, it should be emphasised that Super License points are also awarded in IndyCar.

The winner of the IndyCar Championship, for example, receives 40 Super License points – which is enough to race in F1.

Alex Palou, who claimed his fourth IndyCar title this year, has more than enough points to make the switch.

Indeed, the Spaniard was briefly linked with a Red Bull seat during the summer break. Red Bull were swift to shut down that rumour.

Returning to Herta, there have been plenty of opportunities for him to secure the necessary position in the Championship to secure enough SL points.

However, having finished 7th in this year’s Championship, Herta only has 35 points. This leaves him 5 below what he needs to race in Formula 1.

Of course, he could still achieve the needed SL points this in IndyCar next year.

With that said, it seems to have been decided that a bold switch to Formula 2 gives him better chances.

Inevitably, there will be immense pressure on the American if he enters the series next season.

Aside from his obvious ambitions of racing for Cadillac in 2027, his efforts will reflect on IndyCar as a whole.

Competing against younger drivers, Herta will be expected to demonstrate his abilities in comprehensive fashion.

Herta’s first chance to join F1 was in 2022 – when he was in negotiations with Red Bull to join VCARB.

These negotiations concluded when the FIA decided against granting Herta an exemption for his lack of SL points.

More than three years later, he has another chance to put himself in F1 contention – this time with Cadillac.

Main photo: Dutch Photo Agency (Red Bull content pool)