F1 champion offers HUGE backing for major driver signing......

F1 champion offers HUGE backing for major driver signing……read more

F1 World Champion Jenson Button has shown strong support for young American driver Colton Herta, backing him to secure a seat with the Cadillac F1 team when they enter Formula 1 in 2026. The announcement that Cadillac, backed by General Motors (GM), will be joining the sport as the 11th team on the grid has generated considerable excitement, particularly in terms of driver selections.

Cadillac’s F1 entry comes after months of discussions, with GM originally associated with the Andretti Autosport bid to join the F1 grid. However, this bid was rejected earlier in the year, as the F1 governing body did not believe it would add sufficient value to the sport. Despite this setback, GM has successfully gained approval for a Cadillac-branded team, marking a significant milestone for the American automotive giant. In the longer term, Cadillac plans to provide its own power units, further strengthening its involvement in Formula 1.

As the team prepares to join the grid in 2026, speculation is rife about which drivers will make up Cadillac’s roster. Mario Andretti, F1 legend and Cadillac’s F1 director, has already revealed that the team aims to recruit two drivers: one experienced F1 veteran and one talented young American driver. IndyCar star Colton Herta has long been considered a strong candidate for the American team, and many experts believe he could be the ideal choice to represent Cadillac in its Formula 1 debut.

Jenson Button, who won the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, has also expressed his confidence in Herta’s potential. Speaking on Sky Sports F1 during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Button praised Herta’s abilities, particularly in IndyCar, where he has shown himself to be an exceptionally quick and skilled driver. Button, who raced alongside Herta at the Daytona 24 Hours endurance race earlier in 2024, noted that Herta’s speed and adaptability were immediately apparent. “He’s extremely quick, and everything he gets in, he’s quick – in IndyCar, obviously extremely quick,” Button remarked, emphasizing the young driver’s talent.

While Button acknowledges Herta’s raw speed, he also recognizes that a transition from IndyCar to Formula 1 would require significant adjustments. Button mentioned that the difference between the two racing series is substantial, and Herta would need to adapt to the unique challenges of Formula 1. However, Button was confident that Herta possesses the right mindset and work ethic to succeed in the sport. “There’s obviously a lot of learning to do, as it’s very different to IndyCar,” Button stated. “But I think he’s got the mindset to be successful.”

Herta’s potential move to F1 with Cadillac is seen as a significant step for American drivers in the sport. The lack of American representation on the F1 grid in recent years has been a topic of discussion, and Herta’s involvement would serve to bolster interest in F1 in the United States. Herta, who has already been linked to F1 in the past, particularly with the AlphaTauri team, has been a promising figure in American motorsport. His impressive performances in IndyCar, including his strong results and adaptability, have earned him widespread recognition as one of the brightest talents in American racing.

The addition of Cadillac to the F1 grid in 2026 is also a major development for the sport itself. The entry of a team backed by a global automotive powerhouse like GM signifies a growing interest in Formula 1 from American companies, particularly as the sport continues to expand its presence in the United States. With the growing popularity of F1 in the U.S., especially following the success of the Miami and Las Vegas Grand Prix, the arrival of Cadillac is expected to further elevate the sport’s profile.

In summary, Jenson Button’s endorsement of Colton Herta for the Cadillac F1 seat is a strong indication of the young driver’s potential. While Herta’s transition from IndyCar to Formula 1 would require some adjustments, Button believes that his talent and mindset make him an excellent candidate for the role. As Cadillac prepares to join the F1 grid in 2026, Herta’s involvement would not only provide a boost to the team but also enhance American representation in the sport, which could further fuel F1’s growing popularity in the United States.