Colton Herta: doing the work

This segment is about Cadillac’s move into Formula One and how the hosts connect that to the brand’s performance image. It frames F1 as a credibility builder for Cadillac’s road-car “V-Series” lineup.

Cadillac’s “V-Series” is the brand’s performance lineup, and the segment ties it to racing credibility by saying the cars are “race-tested.” The idea is that motorsport development influences tuning, chassis behavior, and powertrain calibration in road cars.

The Cadillac CT5V Blackwing is a high-performance version of the CT5, positioned as the brand’s “peak performance” offering in this lineup. The Blackwing name is Cadillac’s performance halo, typically associated with more aggressive tuning and performance-oriented engineering.

Cadillac’s “Lyriq V” is presented here as the brand’s all-electric performance model. In this context, the “V” naming is Cadillac’s performance sub-brand, meant to signal higher-output tuning and sportier hardware than a standard model.

The Cadillac OPTIQ V is described as “nimble agility” within Cadillac’s V-Series performance lineup. The “V” designation generally indicates a sportier setup—tuning and performance calibration—compared with the base OPTIQ.

The Cadillac Escalade V is the performance-flavored Escalade mentioned as having the “legendary Roar.” It’s part of Cadillac’s broader V-Series strategy, using the V badge to differentiate higher-performance versions across multiple body styles.

Formula One (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, run as a season of Grand Prix events. Drivers typically earn their place through results in feeder series and testing opportunities, rather than simply “getting” a seat.

Formula Two (F2) is the main feeder series to Formula One, where drivers prove they can handle higher-speed cars and more complex racecraft. It’s often where drivers learn the skills needed to compete at the Grand Prix level, before earning an F1 seat.

IndyCar is the top American open-wheel racing series, and moving from IndyCar to F1 is a major transition. The driving style, car behavior, and race formats differ enough that drivers often need time to adapt.

A test driver in F1 is a driver who supports the team by developing the car and, in some cases, driving in practice sessions. It’s a way for teams to evaluate a driver’s pace and feedback without committing them to a full race seat immediately.

A “Grand Prix grid” refers to the starting lineup for an F1 race. Earning a spot on the grid means securing a race seat with a team, which is typically the result of strong performances in feeder series and team evaluations.

The transcript references Brian Herter as an “IndyCar legend,” highlighting racing pedigree and early exposure to motorsport. In driver development, family involvement and early track exposure can strongly influence a driver’s path and confidence.

The hosts mention “Cadillacs HQ,” which appears to refer to a Cadillac-related facility in the context of the seat-fitting visit. In racing, seat fitment is often done at specialized facilities that build or refine driver seating and safety equipment.

A bead seat uses small beads (often in a flexible container) to conform to the driver’s body shape. Compared with foam, it can provide fine positional support and is sometimes used for repeatable fitment workflows.

The guest notes that European open-wheel cars and US open-wheel cars differ in driving position and overall ergonomics. This matters because seat fit, pedal layout, and cockpit packaging can change how drivers manage forces and reach controls.

“Back positioning” refers to where the driver’s torso and hips sit relative to the steering wheel, pedals, and cockpit structure. Even small changes in seat angle and how the back rises can change pedal reach, comfort, and driving feel. Herta notes that the overall back position is similar between cars, but the higher leg/foot placement makes it feel different.

A heel rest is a small support in an open-wheel race car cockpit that lets drivers brace their heel while using the pedals. It helps keep the driver’s foot position stable during braking and throttle inputs. Herta says he doesn’t like using one because his natural pedal technique uses toe pressure, which makes the heel rest interfere with his preferred foot movement.

Karting is the traditional entry point for many professional drivers. It’s where drivers learn basic car control skills—like throttle/brake modulation and steering inputs—before moving up to single-seaters.

Throttle travel is how much the throttle pedal moves from idle to full throttle. Drivers and engineers use it to fine-tune pedal feel and how quickly the car responds, which can matter for consistency in braking/acceleration transitions.

FP1 refers to Formula 1’s first free practice session of a race weekend. Teams use it to gather baseline data, check setups, and evaluate upgrades before qualifying and the race.

Formula One teams traditionally run winter testing sessions to evaluate car updates, tire behavior, and driver adaptation before the season starts. The timing and location matter because weather and track availability affect how much useful running teams can get done.

F4, F3, and F2 are junior open-wheel feeder series that sit below F1, with drivers moving up the ladder as they improve. The key point here is that testing time and track choice are concentrated in certain places, which affects how familiar drivers become with specific circuits.

Curb profiling refers to the shape/height/contour of the curbs at the edge of the track. Small changes can alter how the car behaves when you ride the curb—affecting grip, suspension loading, and how drivers set up braking and corner entry.

Track abrasions and bumps are surface wear and irregularities that can develop over time. They can change tire wear, traction consistency, and ride quality, which matters during testing when teams are trying to compare data lap-to-lap.

This segment focuses on how the rhythm of an F1 practice session differs from other series, especially around tire management and hybrid energy usage. It’s essentially a comparison of what drivers feel and do lap-to-lap in practice.

A “run plan” is the planned sequence of laps and activities a team schedules during practice—often including stint length, tire choices, and when the driver should push versus conserve. It’s a key part of how teams gather data and prepare for qualifying or the race.

The speaker says practice pace and strategy are “dictated by the tire,” highlighting how tire temperature and wear directly affect grip. In open-wheel and prototype racing, teams constantly manage tire operating range to keep the car fast and consistent.

In Formula One, “push-cool-push” describes a common practice rhythm where drivers push hard for a stint, then back off to let tires cool and stabilize, then push again. It’s a strategy to manage tire temperature and grip rather than staying at maximum pace continuously.

“Charge the battery” refers to using the car’s hybrid energy system to store electrical energy during certain driving phases. In F1, energy management is tightly controlled, so practice sessions often involve learning when to harvest and when to deploy power.

The Indy 500 is the most famous race on the IndyCar calendar, held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s a major milestone for drivers in the U.S. and often a key goal alongside other series achievements.

IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) is a major North American sports-car racing organization known for endurance racing. It features classes of cars that race together, emphasizing strategy, reliability, and driver stints.

Acura is Honda’s luxury performance brand, and it has competed in IMSA with factory and team efforts. In endurance racing, manufacturer involvement often means dedicated engineering support and development work for race cars.

Formula E is an all-electric open-wheel racing series focused on showcasing electric vehicle technology in competition. It uses standardized or tightly regulated components to keep the racing close while emphasizing energy management.

WEC usually refers to the FIA World Endurance Championship, which features long-duration races and multi-class competition. Endurance racing emphasizes reliability, driver stints, and pit strategy as much as outright speed.

NASCAR is a stock-car racing series primarily raced in North America, typically on oval tracks. It’s known for close, physical racing and different car setups compared with open-wheel series like IndyCar and Formula One.

Long Beach refers to the Long Beach Grand Prix, a well-known street-circuit event on the IndyCar calendar. Street circuits add challenges like tight corners, limited runoff, and higher risk of damage from contact.

IndyCar is the top open-wheel racing series in the United States, separate from Formula One. Herta watching IndyCar races while transitioning highlights how drivers can move between major open-wheel ecosystems.

Sauber is a Swiss Formula One team that has competed in F1 for decades and has also been involved in driver development. In the transcript, Colton Herta says he almost joined Sauber, which highlights how close he came to an F1 seat.

“Alpha Tower” appears to be a transcription error for “AlphaTauri,” which is an F1 team brand associated with the Red Bull Racing organization. The mention indicates there was additional interest from another F1 program after the Sauber talks.

In F1, a driver typically needs a Super Licence to race. The “drama” here points to the process and requirements—such as points earned through junior categories and timing of eligibility—that can block or delay a driver from getting an F1 seat.

“Count my lucky stars” is an idiom meaning the speaker feels fortunate that circumstances aligned. In motorsport terms, it often reflects how timing, contracts, and team decisions can create (or remove) opportunities.

IndyCar is the top open-wheel racing series in the U.S., and “IndyCar side” implies the driver’s prior experience and relationships there. Those connections often matter when teams recruit drivers or when engineers and mechanics move between series.

“F2” refers to Formula 2, a feeder series that sits just below Formula 1 in the FIA ladder. Drivers use F2 to develop racecraft, car setup feedback, and consistency while competing for promotion opportunities.

The hosts discuss editing and production skills for long-form interview content. In podcast terms, “long-form” usually means longer segments that require pacing, structure, and careful editing to keep listeners engaged.

“Simulator pace” refers to how quickly a driver appears to be in virtual testing compared to others. It’s useful for spotting trends and potential, but it can differ from real-world pace due to tire behavior, track evolution, and setup limitations.

Hungary refers to the Hungaroring, a well-known F1 circuit used for races and testing. The speaker clarifies that the relevant session/location was Hungary rather than Barcelona, and notes they didn’t run on that specific one.

Mercedes is an F1 constructor/team and a major engine and technical partner in the sport. The transcript references Valtteri coming over from Mercedes, framing it as a driver/seat-fitting context tied to team operations.

This appears to reference an Alfa Romeo–related arrangement (likely a sponsorship or partnership deal) involving “Alfa” and “Towery.” Because the name is unclear in the transcript, it’s best treated as a specific business/branding topic rather than a technical term.

The F1 paddock is the working area at a Formula 1 race where teams manage logistics, engineering discussions, and driver/team coordination. It’s distinct from the track and garages, and it’s where contract and team dynamics often play out.

In motorsport, a contract isn’t just a promise to drive—it’s tied to eligibility, timing, and formal sign-off requirements (like licensing). This segment highlights how contract timing can be constrained by FIA rules, forcing a driver to secure a seat elsewhere.

An “IndyCar seat” refers to a spot on an IndyCar team’s driver lineup. In American open-wheel racing, securing a seat is a major career milestone because it determines your car, team support, and race schedule.

The “Red Bull Sim” is shorthand for simulator work within Red Bull’s driver development ecosystem. Simulators let drivers practice racecraft, learn car behavior, and provide engineers with feedback without waiting for track time.

The Red Bull Young Driver Program is a talent pipeline run by Red Bull to identify and develop promising young racers. Drivers often get coaching, simulator time, and opportunities to move up the junior formula ladder toward Formula One.

Euro Formula Open is a European junior open-wheel series that helps drivers progress toward higher tiers like Formula 3 and beyond. It’s part of the typical “ladder” system where performance and consistency matter for getting noticed by bigger teams.

Formula 3 is a higher-level junior single-seater category that typically comes after F4 and other feeder series. It’s an important proving ground because car performance is closer to what drivers will face in more advanced series.

British F4 is a junior single-seater racing series that sits early in the open-wheel development ladder. It’s commonly used by young drivers to build race experience, car control skills, and results before moving up to higher formula categories.

In racing, a mechanic is central to day-to-day car preparation—maintenance, setup changes, and troubleshooting. Living with the mechanic implies a highly immersive development environment where the driver is constantly exposed to how the car is prepared and tuned.

In motorsport, “races” are competitive events, while “test days” are dedicated sessions to evaluate setup, tires, and driver feedback. Doing that many races and tests in a single year is an intense workload that accelerates learning and adaptation.

“Fast corners” are high-speed sections where the car stays loaded with aerodynamic grip and the driver manages steering input, throttle, and braking timing to maintain momentum. Being “really quick through fast corners” usually points to strong car control and confidence at higher lateral g-forces.

The discussion contrasts how motorsport culture and fan engagement can differ by region, even when the core driving concepts remain the same. In practice, this can affect how teams recruit, train, and motivate drivers and staff.

Oversteer is when a car rotates more than you expect during cornering, often causing the rear to step out. Drivers may use throttle and steering inputs to manage it, but too much oversteer can spin the car.

Understeer is when a car doesn’t turn as much as you expect, so it tends to push wide toward the outside of the corner. It’s commonly linked to front tire grip and how the car is balanced under braking, turn-in, or throttle.

The hosts discuss whether racing intensity is meaningfully different in Europe compared with other regions. This is a “why people come to Europe” segment, tying geography to competitiveness and the availability of high-level track specialists.

Go-karting is a common entry point for young drivers because it’s relatively accessible and teaches fundamental driving skills like throttle control, braking timing, and racing lines. The transcript uses it as an example of how early, focused seat time can produce very competitive drivers.

This idea suggests that high-level talent and track-specific expertise exist everywhere, not just in one region. It’s about how competitive environments and repeated practice create “specialists” regardless of geography.

“Junior formula” refers to the feeder series that develop young drivers before they reach top-tier categories like F1. The key idea is that these programs focus heavily on driver development—coaching, seat time, and learning how to adapt to different cars and tracks.

“Track time” is the amount of time a driver spends on a circuit practicing or racing. More track time generally means more laps, more feedback, and faster learning of braking points, lines, and car setup preferences.

ChampCar (often written as CART/Champ Car) was a prominent American open-wheel racing series. It helped define the modern IndyCar-style talent pipeline before later series mergers.

IRL stands for Indy Racing League, which was the predecessor to today’s IndyCar series. Winning in IRL/IndyCar is a major achievement in American open-wheel motorsport.

Dario Franckini is mentioned as a source of influence, likely tied to early karting or racing connections. In motorsport, mentors and local racing figures can strongly shape how drivers get seat time and opportunities.

A track day is an organized event where drivers take vehicles onto a race circuit for practice and fun, usually with coaching and open sessions. In motorsport development, early track time helps drivers learn car control and track etiquette in a lower-pressure environment than formal racing.

Minardi was an Italian Formula One constructor, and the Minardi TC refers to a specific Minardi open-wheel car used in that era. In the transcript, it’s mentioned as the car Colton Herta’s dad drove to Donington, tying it to the grassroots path toward top-level racing.

F2 refers to Formula 2, a junior open-wheel racing series that sits below Formula 1. Drivers use it to develop racecraft and prove they can handle faster cars and more complex race weekends before moving up.

IndyCar is the top open-wheel racing series in the United States, with purpose-built race cars that differ from Formula cars in several key areas. Drivers often talk about differences in power delivery, gearing, seating position, and tire characteristics—so the same driving “feel” doesn’t automatically transfer.

“How the gears shift” refers to the transmission’s shift characteristics—timing, smoothness, and how quickly it changes ratios under acceleration and deceleration. In race cars, shift behavior strongly affects traction because it changes engine speed and torque delivery right when you’re trying to accelerate out of corners.

“Arrow screen” here appears to refer to IndyCar’s cockpit protection/visor-style screen used alongside the front bar. It’s discussed as analogous to the halo—providing additional protection while still allowing the driver to feel some airflow.

Fahrenheit is a temperature scale commonly used in the U.S. Converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius helps listeners understand how extreme cockpit temperatures can be during a race.

Celsius is the temperature scale used in most of the world. Converting the cockpit temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius gives a clearer sense of heat stress levels for drivers and teams.

SOC 2 is a widely used security and compliance framework created by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Companies use it to demonstrate they manage customer data securely, which can be important for vendors and enterprise customers.

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance. It refers to the systems and processes an organization uses to manage risks, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure decision-making is aligned with company governance.

Formula 2 (F2) is the FIA’s main feeder series to Formula 1, using standardized cars and a tight weekend schedule. In this segment, the hosts emphasize that F2 has limited practice time and limited tire sets, so drivers must learn quickly and extract performance immediately.

Melbourne is referenced as a circuit where a driver can make mistakes in practice, including throwing the car into the wall. It’s a useful contextual example of how unforgiving certain F2/FE-style weekends can be when practice is limited.

This segment frames “learning fast” as a competitive requirement in F2 because there’s little time to catch up or recover after early sessions. It’s essentially about rapid driver adaptation to car balance, track grip, and setup changes within a constrained schedule.

The Daewoo Statesman is a passenger car model produced by Daewoo, typically discussed as an example of the brand’s older, more “mainstream” lineup. It may come up in a conversation as a reference point for how the company’s vehicles were positioned and perceived during earlier eras. The name “Statesman” also makes it an easy shorthand for the car’s intended role as a comfortable, everyday family sedan.

One-lap pace refers to how quickly a driver can complete a single lap at the limit. In open-wheel racing, it’s heavily influenced by setup balance, tire temperature, and how well the driver hits braking points and corner entry/exit.

Qualifying pace is the speed you can consistently produce over a single timed lap (or short stint) during qualifying. It’s different from race pace because qualifying is usually about maximizing grip and performance for one push rather than managing tires and fuel for many laps.

Lewis Hamilton is a multi-time Formula One world champion and one of the most successful drivers in modern F1 history. When the hosts debate his best season, they’re usually comparing factors like race wins, consistency, and how well he maximized car performance across different tracks.

“Nine consecutive podiums” means finishing in the top three in nine straight F1 races, which is a rare level of consistency. Podiums depend on both car performance and execution (qualifying, race pace, strategy, and avoiding incidents), so a streak like this signals a dominant period.

“Around the outside” at a corner describes an overtaking move where the attacker passes on the outside line, often requiring strong braking and traction while managing tire grip. Doing it at “turn one” is especially notable because the field is bunched and there’s less room for error.

In Formula One, “pit it earlier” means making a pit stop sooner than you would normally, usually to take advantage of tire performance windows or track position. Timing the stop can change race strategy because tires degrade over time and traffic affects how quickly you can lap cars.

The hosts discuss adding Formula 2 (F2) races at Miami and Montreal, framing them as an advantage because the tracks are new to most drivers. In feeder series like F2, early track familiarity can matter, but when everyone is learning together the playing field can shift.

The conversation centers on how track learning affects performance: when a circuit is new to everyone, there’s less advantage for drivers who have already raced there in prior series. That can change how quickly drivers adapt and how much practice time translates into lap time.

The hosts discuss upcoming North American rounds, specifically Canada (Montreal) and Miami. These are notable because they bring major open-wheel racing events to new or expanded markets.

Montreal is referenced as a “sweet city” and the track is described as looking amazing. In F1 context, this points to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, known for high-speed sections and heavy braking zones.

The speaker notes that no one expected to have an F2 “home race” in the U.S. This highlights how the FIA Formula 2 calendar has expanded into the U.S., affecting driver development and fan exposure.

GP2 is referenced as a prior series Checo did, while Valtteri did not. Historically, GP2 was the direct predecessor to today’s Formula 2 branding, serving the same role as a feeder series to F1.

The speaker repeatedly references Formula 1 (F1) when discussing what kind of advice they get. F1 is the top tier of open-wheel racing, and the jump from F2/other series involves changes in car behavior, strategy, and team dynamics.

The speaker says Checo’s experience was in a “very different chassis,” meaning the car’s underlying structure and setup package. In racing, chassis differences affect weight distribution, stiffness, aerodynamics, and how the car responds to steering and braking.

“Finishing inside the points” means placing high enough to earn championship points. In F2, points are awarded based on race finishing position, so consistency and avoiding bad finishes are crucial for the season standings.

“Poles” refers to pole position—starting first on the grid, awarded to the fastest car in qualifying. Pole position is a key performance indicator because it reflects outright speed and control under qualifying conditions.

“Prep work” in racing is the behind-the-scenes effort that happens before track action—planning, simulator time, setup discussions, and physical readiness. The idea is that better preparation leads to better performance when you finally get on track.

“Sim days” refers to practice sessions in a racing simulator, where drivers can test setups, driving lines, and strategies without using track time. For Formula One-style preparation, simulators help teams and drivers evaluate changes quickly and arrive at real sessions with a clearer plan.

“Compartmentalize” here describes a mental approach to racing: breaking the workload into separate, manageable focus areas instead of letting upcoming events (tests, tracks) distract from the current task. This kind of focus discipline is common in high-level motorsport where schedules are packed.

“High-tech” appears to be a specific organization or facility involved in Herta’s preparation, likely related to engineering support and/or technical training. The context implies it’s a place he can quickly access for the next steps in his F1-related work.

“Massive displacement” points to a large-engine feel, and “VA” likely refers to a specific engine mode/behavior the driver associates with the car’s power delivery. The key takeaway is that the engine’s character changes noticeably as power comes on, which the driver can feel and hear.

Naturally aspirated (NA) engines make power without a turbocharger or supercharger, relying on air pressure and engine displacement. The driver notes how rare NA engines are today compared with turbocharged and hybrid powertrains, which changes how the engine responds and sounds.

Turbocharged engines use a turbocharger to force more air into the engine, allowing smaller engines to produce strong power. The driver contrasts this modern trend with naturally aspirated engines, highlighting how power delivery and driving feel can differ.

Hybrid engines combine an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors and a battery system. The driver mentions hybrids as part of why naturally aspirated engines are rare, reflecting the broader shift in modern performance and racing toward electrification.

McLaren is the team/manufacturer referenced for the test session at Portimão. In this context, it’s used to set up a comparison between driving styles across different top-tier race cars, including F1.

“Linear” acceleration describes power delivery that feels consistent and predictable rather than peaky. In an F1 context, it often comes from how the engine and energy systems deliver torque across the rev range and how the car stays in its effective operating window.

“VMAX” is the vehicle’s maximum speed region, where acceleration typically starts to taper off as aerodynamic drag and drivetrain limits rise. Herta is saying the F1 car didn’t show that usual “fall-off,” instead continuing to pull strongly.

Torque is the twisting force that accelerates the car, and gear ratios normally change how that torque feels at the wheels. Herta’s point is that the F1 car’s powertrain delivery made second-gear acceleration feel surprisingly similar to fifth-gear, implying very strong low-to-mid-range pull and tight control of engine/energy output.

“Braking later” means the driver can delay the brake application closer to the corner, typically due to higher grip, better braking stability, and confidence in deceleration performance. In racing, it’s a key indicator of how much traction and control the car provides under hard braking.

This refers to a specific race circuit being discussed as a good place to test. The hosts connect its layout—quick corners, elevation changes, and a mix of high- and low-speed sections—to the kinds of demands an F1 car experiences.

These are cornering techniques and track features that change where you aim to hit the apex and how the car loads up. A late apex or double apex can help you carry speed and set up the exit, while an off-camber corner (where the road slopes away from the center of the turn) makes grip less predictable and increases the challenge of braking and turning in.

A two-day test is a compressed development and evaluation period where the team and driver must prioritize learning and setup changes. The first day is often about building baseline confidence and understanding the car’s behavior, while the second day focuses on refining and extracting maximum performance.

“Overdriving” means pushing the car beyond what you’re currently comfortable with to learn the limits quickly. In a short test window, drivers may intentionally exceed the safe baseline to understand where the car starts to lose grip, then dial it back once they have data and feel.

“Refine all that” refers to the iterative process of improving driving technique and car setup after initial learning. After the first day reveals where the car feels unstable or slow, the team adjusts parameters and the driver changes line/inputs corner-by-corner to improve consistency and lap time.

“Corner by corner” describes how F1 drivers and engineers break performance down into individual turns rather than treating the lap as one continuous event. Each corner has its own braking point, turn-in, apex, and exit behavior, so the driver targets consistency and improvement in each segment to build overall lap time.

They’re referring to a specific McLaren Formula 1 car from the 2021 season, associated with Daniel Ricciardo. In F1, each season’s car is heavily developed around race performance, so “the 2021 McLaren” is shorthand for that year’s machine and its engineering package.

“Monzerie” is almost certainly a reference to Monza, the famous high-speed circuit in Italy. It’s known for long straights and heavy braking zones, which makes setup and lap-time gains especially sensitive to aerodynamic efficiency and braking stability.

This refers to analyzing large amounts of telemetry and performance data after or during sessions. In modern motorsport, teams use that data to understand what the car is doing (speed, braking behavior, tire performance) and to guide setup changes.

Lap time is how long a car takes to complete one circuit around the track. In racing, improving lap time by even small amounts (like a tenth or two tenths) usually requires better braking, cornering, traction, and overall setup.