F1 Explains: Test + Reserve Drivers with Cadillac’s Colton Herta + Zhou Guanyu live in Miami

0:00This episode is sponsored by Honda. Since its first Formula One victory in the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix, Honda has always taken what's learned on the track and used it to build better cars for everyone. From pushing limits in F1 to engineering the next generation of hybrids like the Prelude Hybrid and Civic Sedan Hybrid, Honda proves that racing doesn't just inspire innovation, it drives it. And that idea of taking lessons from the racetrack and applying them to road cars has always been a part of Honda's DNA. Decades of engineering in the demanding world of Formula One have helped shape the performance and efficiency you see in Honda's road cars today.

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2:19Hello, everybody, and welcome to F1 Explains. And of course, more importantly, welcome back to Formula One Racing. We did it. We got through the break. My name is Christian Hugill, and I am stood talking to you from somewhere I have never recorded an episode of this podcast before, because I am on the beach. Welcome to Miami Beach. We are about an hour from the Hard Rock Stadium, about an hour from the circuit where the Grand Prix will be this weekend. Because for the first ever time at the Miami Grand Prix, we've also taken over a big chunk of the beach for the official Fan Fest. I can see in front of me loads and loads of sand.

2:59It would be more of a surprise if there wasn't sand, what with it being a beach. somebody has done a sand sculpture of a car and the f1 logo and the checkered flags in front of me which is very impressive i do worry about its structural integrity over the course of the whole weekend i can't lie to you but for the moment it looks absolutely fantastic there's a man opposite him carving the team's logos into sand and doing a great job there's the hasse logo he's currently doing the Mercedes logo. He's doing a brilliant job. And sat on everything from benches to... What are they, Producer Jamie? What do you call those things?

3:36It's not a parasol. What is it? I'd say it's a miniature gazebo over a deck chair. Lovely. A miniature gazebo over a deck chair. Yes, fans are sat on there looking at the big Ticketmaster stage, which acts as the main stage here at the Fan Fest. And that is where we are going to be doing this week's episode of F1 Explains with some special guests from Cadillac. They're test and reserve drivers, Colton Herter and Joe Guanyu. Joe is, of course, a Formula One veteran of several seasons racing with the Sauber Alfa Romeo team. And Colton is an IndyCar winner who is racing in Formula Two this season, hoping to get enough super license points to one day be able to get himself on to the Formula One grid.

4:21They are part of the Cadillac team who this weekend are about to embark on their first home Grand Prix. Colton will be racing a home Grand Prix in Formula 2 as well as F2 comes to town here this weekend. And we are going to get them onto the main stage to put your questions to them right here at the Miami Beach Fan Fest.

4:46Guys, we've got a full-on TV show style set here. Do you like our sofas? They're very low, but do you like them? Feels good. Feels good. Yeah, it's comfortable. It's comfortable. Guys, not your first time in Miami, I'm sure, but welcome. What do you reckon to our beach setup? Colton, have you ever done anything quite like this on a beach before? It looks comfortable. I feel like you guys need, like, some Coronas or something down there. It does look very nice, though. I am jealous. Got any drinks on the go, guys? Yeah, I thought they might. Now, Joe, you've raced on the circuit. What's it like?

5:16Yeah, I mean, the track is absolutely, you know, it's a great track with a lot of hard sections, especially sector one, all that. But then, you know, we're building and making the track get better and the track is getting more grippier, which is good for the cars. And then I think for the fans, all of you guys, I think it's a very enjoyable weekend. Either you are here for vacation or for the race. You know, it is super calm and relaxed. There's a lot of things happening. And, of course, Formula One is the way to go. Oh, absolutely. Right, Colton, am I right in thinking you won't have raced on the track yet?

5:46Yeah, never. But you're not new to Miami, I take it. Now, you're from California, so you're used to the sunshine. What are the main differences between California and Miami? It's definitely more humid out here. You know, you feel the heat more, especially inside the race car. We do a lot of racing in IndyCar in Florida, obviously, and so I have that experience. But first time in Miami, you know, I'm very excited that we get to race here. It wasn't something that was on my bingo card this year that we were going to be able to have an F2 race in the States, so I'm excited for it. Well, I just said, I'm sure it's not your first time in Miami.

6:22Is this the first time you've ever been here? No, no, I've been here before. IndyCar used to race at Homestead, Miami, down south. I've raced there a couple of times in junior series. And I came, I think I came the first year that they had this race on. Yeah. To watch as a fan. Nice, nice. And as a sports fan, more than anything, what a cool place to host a race with the Dolphin Stadium with such sporting heritage here. Must be a cool place to come. I mean, I'm a Bills fan, so I love watching Miami lose. Sorry, guys, if you guys are Dolphins fans. But, yeah, it's a cool scenario, cool backdrop for everything.

7:02Yeah, it always feels like sports combined. Joey, are you a fan of any other particular sports? I mean, I watch NBA. Nice. Yeah, I'm obviously not following too much the NFL and also the baseball, but I know there's a lot of things interesting here, but NBA is what I'm watching. But yeah, obviously, I'm not unfortunately supporting Miami Heat, but I'm a massive Kobe fan. So, you know, the team I'm supporting, which is, yeah, Lakers. And then following the playoffs is happening right now. So, yeah. But I do looking forward to go to some of the games, the matches, just to be on the court side. I think it's a really cool experience.

7:37It's always good fun. And Colton, you mentioned that you didn't expect to be racing F2 in America this year, but circumstances, here we are. It's going to be an F2 race this weekend. Now, also, your first was in Australia last time out. Talk to us about your first experience in F2. What was the weekend like? You know, I think it's very different to what I was used to before. You know, I think the amount of track time you get is quite low compared to what you would get in Formula One or IndyCar. So you need to be quick when you get onto the track, and your learning needs to be as fast as it can be.

8:12So, yeah, it was enjoyable. It was very different. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of different things for me this year jumping into this and really need to pick up on it as fast as possible. And P7 in the feature race, an up and down weekend elsewhere. But it must have been a challenge to adjust from IndyCar. It's a different car. How much of a different feel is it? What was it like making the adjustment? Yeah, I mean, the way that you find lap time in the F2 cars is very different to the IndyCar and the ways of where you might push are very different. So there is a big adjustment period on that side of things.

8:50You know, happy to get points, but obviously we want to do better than what we did in Melbourne. Excellent. And excited to go on this circuit. Obviously, within the Cadillac team, have you spoken to the likes of Joe about racing on it? Because as you see, you've not driven it yet. What are you expecting from it? I think the track surface looks very particular. You know, as far as how rubber gets put down, there's not a huge track evolution through the weekend. So, you know, maybe the car might feel a little bit more on top of the track and sliding a little bit more, which is kind of what I've seen from Formula One in the past.

9:22But I think he would know better than me. What's the key to success on it, Joe? I mean, for me, it's like just making sure you feel comfortable and taking steps in the first beginning and get the track time. I think for here, you know, I remember first time here back to the first ever Miami Grand Prix. The surface was slippery as hell. And there was like no evolutions happening. And then during the session, but there was a massive one between the sessions. But then when you finish your FP1 to FP2, it reset back to zero. So, yeah, you need to adapt your car, your setup due to that. So it's challenging.

9:55And then one, and also is how much comfortable you are in this high-speed assist because there's no room for error. You're going there with such a high speed and then with a little error with the surface, you just go straight into the wall, basically. Well, there's so much for you guys to get used to because I remember the second year they'd relayed the circuit and it was dusty because they'd relayed it. I was in the pit lane for FP1 and the cars go out on the track and there's these plumes of dust from where the circuit has been relayed. I was just a sweaty mess covered in dust and sun cream.

10:25But little things like that, like a dusty surface if it's been relayed, that can change things for you guys massively, can't it? Yeah, for sure. I think it's gonna be not much difference unfortunately I think for this year for every time because there's not a lot of cars or series is running on that during the you know the period or weeks before but that's the track Do they clean that every evening to making sure they wash a little bit of track just to clear off the dust to help us When we start the session so it's not so so dusty which is just improving for the grip is very important But then besides from that it is something quite special about Miami and that's why it's a different but I'm happy how it is as long as the track is not breaking up and everything stays how it is.

11:05Excellent, excellent. So let's talk a little bit about Cadillac. We mentioned the home race for UNF2, but the first home race for the team as a whole. Colton, what's it like stepping into Cadillac for the first season in Formula 1? What's it been like for you to start on this new adventure with the team? I think for me it's been very proud. You know, it's cool that we have this really big American manufacturer, big American team in Formula One. And everybody at the team is so motivated to compete, right, and so motivated to get better. So I'm really excited to see kind of through this year the strides that they make.

11:46And obviously this is a big one for us to come home for first of three. Joe, what's been the main difference going from a more established team that have been around a number of years? Obviously, you went from racing with Sauber into Ferrari, now here with Cadillac. What's been the main difference with this new team? And what wisdom have you been able to impart on them? I think I'm just super proud, firstly, with the guys, how the team is coming along, because it's not easy these days when you're making a completely new team in Formula 1, everything's starting from scratch, and then you try to build up your team, build up your facility, build up your simulator, your factory, your wind tunnel, your cars, you know, all these little things really matter.

12:28But for us to put in a team all together starting from last year, that was pretty insane job. And just to have the car running on ground in the barring test. And then when we get to the race, you know, we are making sure the reliability is well. We're finishing the race and we're improving. We're getting our aero package improving. so I think every individual did a massive good job over the last year and a half and to this point and there's a long way to go and for us we're here to make sure of course own the respect from the other teams as well as try to compete try to bring the team into a top midfielder and so on and more forward so yeah looking forward to be in this brand new adventures and yeah being a part of that I'm very extremely excited about it.

13:11Now he's not here so it's a good opportunity to do this can I talk to you guys about the boss? So I interviewed Graham for the first time. Graham Loudon, team principal of Cadillac. Now, neither of you guys are British. I'm a Brit. Graham is from Newcastle. Newcastle, right at the top of England, north of the UK. It's quite a distinctive accent, the Geordie accent. How are you guys with understanding what on earth he's saying? Because I struggle sometimes with the Geordies, and I'm English. So do you guys understand the word Graham says? And has he bored you about Newcastle United Football Club yet?

13:44No, I think he dumbs it down for us when he's there. He sounds a lot more Southern when he talks to us, at least for me. So he brings the accent down, like down the UK? Yes, yes, yes, yes. It would be hard for me. It's more of like a Midlands once it gets to, I think, when he's talking to us. Now, I'm a Midlands accent. That's impressive. It's impressive local knowledge of the UK, that is. Joe, has he talked to you about football yet? Yeah, but firstly with the accent, you know, I have no issue because when I moved to UK for like racing, I live in Sheffield, so that's a harder one, I think, to understand.

14:16Sheffield's a good accent. It's quite a tricky one, but once you understand that, the other seems to be a little bit settled down, you know, because Yorkshire is something a little bit different. So are you from Yorkshire?

14:32He's loving it. There's a Jeff from Yorkshire over there. No issues understanding Graham also, and he does calm down when he speaks, so you don't hear that. But football, definitely, he talked about it. He talked about Newcastle. He's keeping a track a lot with some other teams as well. You know, a lot of massive, I would call soccer is here. Soccer here, football in the UK. Yeah, football fans in the team, you know. So, yeah, they're keeping a track on their score, the leaderboards. Yeah, have you got a team? Real Madrid. Some Real Madrid fans in. Colton, you got a soccer team? No. No, I just like football.

15:08Would you like one? Do you want to go with Newcastle like the boss? Who's good right now? Arsenal? Arsenal and Manchester City are battling in the Premier League. I'll go with Arsenal. My engineer is a big Arsenal fan, so I know they're doing good. We've just crowned Colton Hurto and Arsenal fan. Amazing. Now, you are going to be doing some FP1 sessions this year, first of which is in Barcelona, I understand. How excited are you to get out there into a Formula 1 car? I'm super excited, you know, especially for me, it's going to be a first on an F1 weekend, and it's going to be super special. I think it's super exciting for me.

15:44It's going to be a big week for the team too because right after I'm done with that, we got Joe in the car for two days for Pirelli tire testing. But yeah, it's going to be cool and to get to do a couple of those is going to be super special. Joe, do you remember your first time getting behind the wheel? I presume it was in an FP1 session. And what advice would you give to Carlton? Because that's a moment for any driver, right? Yeah, honestly, I would say just enjoy the whole weekend, enjoy that moment. I think it's very special because I think every single racing driver when you grow up is a kid starting from karts.

16:17You dream to be driving F1, to be a F1 driver one day. So when you get that experience, I think, you know, being a rookie, you just, you don't need to feel any pressure, you know, just go for it and just, you know, take it easy and just enjoy that moment. That's what I did. And that was the advice I got given by Fernando Alonso when I was having the first FP1 in 2021. in Spielberg. So yeah, I had a session. I just had the best day of my life that year. Oh, that's cool. Hey, Fernando's a good person for advice. If you're going to listen to anyone, listen to Fernando. He's a wise old fox.

17:07And when it's time to redeem those rewards, choose PayPal, check, built points, or cash out with gift cards. Eligible American Express card members can choose to earn membership rewards points instead of cash back. Terms and conditions apply. So go ahead, take a trip, fill a cart, order dessert. Rakuten is a world of rewards. Join today for free. Go to Rakuten.com or get the app. That's R-A-K-U-T-E-N. This episode is sponsored by Honda. Since its first Formula One victory in the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix, Honda has always taken what's learned on the track and used it to build better cars for everyone.

17:47From pushing limits in F1 to engineering the next generation of hybrids like the Prelude Hybrid and Civic Sedan Hybrid, Honda proves that racing doesn't just inspire innovation, it drives it. And that idea of taking lessons from the racetrack and applying them to road cars has always been a part of Honda's DNA. Decades of engineering in the demanding world of Formula 1 have helped shape the performance and efficiency you see in Honda's road cars today. And now that same thinking is shaping the next generation of hybrids as well. Cars like the 2026 Prelude Hybrid and Civic Hybrid show that electrification can be both efficient and genuinely fun to drive.

18:31The 2026 Prelude Hybrid and Civic Sedan Hybrid are engineered for fun. From the racetrack to your driveway. Learn more about the Prelude and Civic and the latest innovations at Honda.com.

18:50This is F1 Explains, the official F1 podcast that's all about explaining the sports. And we are live on stage at the official FanFest here on Miami Beach, recording this show, looking out across the palm trees, golden sands and lots of merch stands and that sort of thing in the distance. It's a beautiful day here in Miami. And our listeners have been emailing f1explains at f1.com with their questions for you guys. Are you up for answering some listener questions? Let's do it. Let's do it. This first one is from Hannah. Hannah is in Germany. Hannah says, I would love to learn more about the differences between reserve drivers and test drivers.

19:27Are there any rules about those roles? So, Joe, your title is reserve driver. Colton, you are test driver. What are the main differences between the two? Colton, let's start with yourself. I would say we both test, but I do a little bit more of the FP stuff because he's not a rookie. He can't do those. And so I guess that's kind of where I come in. Yeah, I mean, that's the main difference. So firstly, you know, we both involved a lot heavily in the teams meetings and, you know, simulator, try to get some feedback, try to improve the car. And then during the race weekend, of course, reserve drive, you have to be kind of 24-7, be ready to be, if anything happens, you step in the car.

20:09And for Kokolini, it's more like you get to do a lot of FP1s, the Rocky Mandatory sessions, which you get time on the car and for his experience, for his knowledge. So that's the main difference. And yeah, both, you know, we have our own kind of things we need to focus on as well. And what's it been like working with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez? Obviously, two vastly experienced Formula One drivers, race winners, you know, fought for titles. I'm imagining it's a lot of fun, particularly working with them on a new project where you're building a team up from scratch. Colton, what's that been like working with the guys?

20:44Yeah, I think it's good to have guys like that in the building that bring that massive amounts of experience and can kind of lead the charge from the driver's side technically. And, you know, I think hearing kind of how they go about their business, especially on a race weekend, is interesting. And, you know, where they kind of pick out weak points and how they attack them throughout the weekend. So, yeah, I think it's good to just be there with a pen and paper and kind of try to soak it all in. Sher, what are they like to work with? Tell us something we might not know about the boys. Yeah, honestly, with Valtteri, it's like coming back together.

21:17You know, we've been together for three years in the same team, and then we've been together into the new era of Formula 1. We introduced this brand-new chassis and floor and car, so we've been working together in that way, and Valtteri is no different. And I knew him since that my day went in Formula 1, that he's very honest and he's very, let's say, open to give feedback to the team. That's, I think, a team like Cadillac F1 needed, because we're coming from a lot of new stuff coming, putting together. So we need the people to be transparent and then to be efficient, know what they're doing with their experience from different teams as well.

21:51So yeah, from that side, it's super, let's say, blending. And with Checo, it's a little bit for me just to be working together with him for the first time. So I'm still trying to, of course, know more about him. But I think he's super talented as well, gives a good feedback to the team and helps the team to drive forward, which, yeah, I'm proud just to be, you know, working alongside them. Is that the main reason you wanted to join Cadillac, to be reunited with Valtteri after being teammates before? Is that the main reason? No, but yes, you know. It's probably not the main reason, but yeah, yeah.

22:23But I'm just happy. Somehow we just came on together, you know, being in the same team again. Destined to work with Valtteri. Although I think since you last worked together, he's become this social media sensation. Is he always filming things and that sort of thing? He's become such a viral superstar, Valtteri Bottas. Yeah, he's been a little bit like him, you know, I think over the last couple of years. So, yeah, some things he do, I will never do in my life, but he enjoyed that part of things. So, yeah, people like it. And it's a little bit more, I think, encouragement for the people. And then I think he enjoyed the part of being, you know, a different kind of lifestyle, being just off on the track, which is cool, you know.

23:01He does whatever he wants. That's fine. Yeah, you've got to have life away from Formula One. You've got to have fun, right. This question is from Kayla and Kayla is from New Jersey. Kayla says who replaces a driver if they are injured or sick and how are they picked? Is it the reserve drivers? Is it the test drivers? And what do they do on a day-to-day basis? Are they required to train? So Joe, we'll start with you. Let's talk about, we've spoken a little bit about this, but more the requirements of the role more generally, the training. And then obviously, as Kayla says, who ultimately steps in?