--- title: "Accidental Gymkhana: Cadillac F1 Test Driver Herta Pulls Off 150-MPH Save of a Lifetime" date: "2026-09-24" modified: "2026-09-24" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/accidental-gymkhana-cadillac-f1-test-driver-herta-pulls-off-150-mph-save-of-a-lifetime" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Accidental Gymkhana: Cadillac F1 Test Driver Herta Pulls Off 150-MPH Save of a Lifetime ![]() *\Screengrab via F2 Feed Harrison Turpitt Motorsport\* Cadillac [Formula 1]() Team test driver [Colton Herta]() showed off his impressive wheelman skills by pulling off the save of a lifetime during Formula 2 qualifying in Baku earlier today. As seen in the video [below](), around the 7:40 mark, the American racer's F2 car lost grip under braking as he entered Turn 15 of the Baku City Circuit, causing the rear to lose traction and whip around. According to track telemetry, F2 cars approach Turn 15 at about 155 to 161 mph, while apex speeds range from 50 to 60 mph. Thankfully, rather than fight the spin and countersteer—which could've sent the front end in the opposite direction and straight into the wall—he let the car rotate all the way and do a 360-degree spin. The result? An impressive-looking spin that avoided contact with either wall and let him continue qualifying. Of course, those tires were severely flat-spotted and had to be changed, but that's better than damaging the car's bodywork or suspension. https://youtu.be/Oe-I2By-X7k?si=W_Y7yJiiNRQJ8MXF&t=456 Herta's results during his maiden F2 season are far from ideal, but that was to be expected given his drastic, somewhat last-minute jump from IndyCar to F2 so he could get enough FIA superlicense points to step up to F1 in the future. Although many see F2 and F3 as categories full of billionaire kids racing with their daddy's money, the talent is exceptional, and the racing is fiercely competitive. Although extremely talented, Herta's uphill battle was always going to be very intense. The young American recently [said]() that he is "not interested in another year in Formula 2," but with two points shy of meeting the minimum requirement to race in F1, he may be forced to do so—at least if he still wants to pursue his F1 dream with Cadillac. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()