Colton Herta has revealed his intense preparations for his highly anticipated Formula 1 debut this weekend at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
While the Formula 2 driver has driven McLaren F1 machinery in the past as part of a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme, Herta has never taken part in a grand prix session.
This weekend, Herta will take part in the first of four first-practice sessions he will complete for Cadillac in 2026, with Sergio Perez set to sit out in Barcelona.
It will represent his first outing in official Cadillac colours and marks the next stage of his development towards a potential future in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Ahead of driving the MAC-26 this Friday, Herta has been bouncing between the team's bases in Charlotte and Silverstone, while working closely with the F1 team over recent rounds.
Herta has faced a steep learning curve after leaving IndyCar in pursuit of a career in F1, and he sits 13th in the drivers' standings on just 16 points after eight rounds.
Alongside driving for Cadillac in first practice this weekend, he will also be in F2 action for Hitech.
"I’m excited for Barcelona," said Herta. "I feel ready to get out there. I’ve had time in the simulator at Charlotte, learning the track and the procedures to follow during the session.
"I’ve also been working with the team at Silverstone and at the track over the past few races, following how they work so I can get up to speed as quickly as possible.
"The aim is to have a clean session and help the team gather the data it needs, as well as getting used to the F1 car.
"It’s going to be a busy weekend as I’m competing in F2 at the same time, but pressure is a privilege so I’m looking forward to it."
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