Cadillac will give Colton Herta another opportunity behind the wheel of its MAC-26 during the opening practice session for the 2026 United States Grand Prix, with the American replacing Sergio Perez on Friday at the Circuit of The Americas. The team’s second home race since entering Formula 1 will also bring a series of minor technical updates, making the Austin weekend an important opportunity to assess further progress.
For Herta, the occasion carries particular significance. The American returns to the circuit where he secured his first IndyCar victory in 2019, while Cadillac hopes to gather valuable information from its latest developments as it builds on the improvements demonstrated in Singapore.
Colton Herta replaces Sergio Perez in Austin FP1
Colton Herta will drive Cadillac’s MAC-26 in Friday’s first free practice session, taking over Sergio Perez’s car. It will be his fourth Formula 1 practice appearance of the 2026 season, following previous outings in Barcelona, Budapest and Monza.
The return to Austin is particularly meaningful because it was here, in 2019, that Colton Herta claimed his maiden IndyCar victory at just 18 years old, becoming the youngest race winner in the history of the category. Seven years later, he will return to the same venue in a Formula 1 car, adding another important experience to his development programme. Cadillac’s longer-term options for the American driver have also attracted attention, including the debate over Colton Herta’s future within the team’s driver plans.
“Driving a Formula 1 car in front of American fans will be special. I won my first IndyCar race here, and returning to this circuit in an F1 car feels like coming full circle,” said Colton Herta, who will be tasked with collecting useful data to help Cadillac prepare for the remainder of the weekend.
Cadillac brings floor and cooling upgrades to the United States GP
Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski has confirmed that the American outfit will also introduce small updates to the car’s floor and cooling system in Austin. The new components will be evaluated during free practice as the team works to establish the most suitable configuration for the Circuit of The Americas.
“Colton knows this circuit very well thanks to his IndyCar experience, so his contribution will be valuable in defining the car’s initial configuration,” explained Marcin Budkowski.
Herta’s familiarity with the Texas circuit could therefore prove useful during a session in which Cadillac must balance its technical evaluation programme with the usual demands of preparing for qualifying and the race. The 2026 United States Grand Prix weekend features three free practice sessions, giving the team further opportunities to refine its setup after Friday’s opening running.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas target further Cadillac progress
Cadillac’s objective remains to confirm the progress demonstrated at the Singapore Grand Prix. Austin will provide another opportunity to assess the MAC-26’s competitiveness while the team continues working to improve its performance during its debut Formula 1 season.
Sergio Perez, who secured a podium finish at the Circuit of The Americas in 2021, can also expect support from the many Mexican fans attending the Texas event. Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas returns to a circuit where he claimed victory from pole position in 2019.
With Colton Herta’s practice appearance, the introduction of technical updates and two experienced race drivers familiar with success at Austin, Cadillac approaches its second home Grand Prix with several important objectives for the weekend.
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