Cadillac Formula 1 CEO Dan Towriss has disclosed how close the team came to losing their prized American talent Colton Herta to Red Bull Racing, revealing it required weeks of persuasion to keep the IndyCar star committed to their project.
Herta, who currently serves as Cadillac's test driver while competing in Formula 2, had attracted significant attention from established F1 teams following standout performances in various testing sessions. The 25-year-old American has been making his transition from IndyCar to Formula 1, having previously raced for Andretti Autosport, which is co-owned by Towriss.
The dramatic recruitment battle unfolded after Oscar Piastri's departure from Alpine to McLaren created opportunities across the grid. Herta had been testing with multiple teams, including Sauber and McLaren, when his impressive pace caught Red Bull's attention.
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"When Oscar [Piastri] left Alpine to go to McLaren, there was some reshuffling and so he did some testing there and literally did so well through those sessions, he came home with a Red Bull contract to sign," Towriss revealed.
The Cadillac CEO described the intense month-long effort required to retain Herta's services, emphasizing the significance of keeping the American driver within their organization.
"It probably took me a month to convince Colton and his reps not to sign that contract and stay with us," said Towriss.
"So there is a body of work for Colton that's there where he's really shown high potential, high aptitude for Formula," Towriss noted.
Herta's path to Formula 1 has been unconventional, transitioning from a successful IndyCar career to become Cadillac's test driver as the American manufacturer prepares for its F1 entry. His current Formula 2 campaign serves as additional preparation for potential future F1 opportunities.
The near-miss with Red Bull highlights the competitive nature of F1's driver market, where promising talent can quickly attract attention from multiple teams. For Cadillac, retaining Herta represents a significant coup as they build their program around American talent and market appeal.
Towriss's comments also reveal the behind-the-scenes negotiations that occur in Formula 1, where driver movements can create cascading effects throughout the paddock. The month-long persuasion campaign demonstrates the value both organizations placed on securing Herta's signature.
As Cadillac continues developing their F1 program, Herta's role as test driver provides valuable experience while maintaining his connection to the team's long-term plans. His Formula 2 performances this season will be closely watched as indicators of his F1 readiness.
The revelation comes as Formula 1 continues expanding its American presence, with Cadillac's entry representing a significant investment in attracting U.S. audiences. Having a talented American driver like Herta aligned with the project adds considerable marketing value to their F1 ambitions.
