Colton Herta strongly criticized Team Penske following their violation at the 2024 St. Pete IndyCar race, where the team was found guilty of illegally using the overtake boost during restarts. This infraction led to Josef Newgarden being stripped of his win, while teammate Scott McLaughlin forfeited his third-place finish. Herta did not hold back in expressing his frustration with the incident and the team’s response.
Herta Holds Team Penske Accountable for St. Pete Penalty
In the aftermath of the St. Pete race penalty, Colton Herta directly blamed Team Penske for the controversy, stressing that the fault lies with the team rather than the drivers themselves. He highlighted that it was a deliberate choice to use the boost, questioning the team’s attitude towards the rule breach and subsequent races.
“It’s definitely different. Ultimately, the biggest thing is it’s a Penske mess up, right? It’s not the driver’s fault that was in the car, but it is the driver’s fault that they used it and were going to use it again in Long Beach. They were all fine with it in Long Beach. Nobody said anything,” Herta said, via Motorsport.
Herta went further to express skepticism over the excuses given by Team Penske and their drivers for using the extra horsepower boost, emphasizing how noticeable the advantage must have been during competition.
“And I find it hard to believe that anybody would have a hard time feeling 50 extra horsepower in the car. So, any excuse that they have is bullshit.”
Following the disqualification of Newgarden and McLaughlin at St. Pete, Herta moved up to finish third in that race, a result that stood despite the off-track controversy.
Colton Herta’s Performance and Outlook in the 2025 Season
Despite the criticism directed at Team Penske, Colton Herta has been focusing on his own racing campaign in 2025. After seven rounds of the season, he ranks ninth in the overall standings with 157 points, a position that reflects some ups and downs early in the year.
Herta’s recent form showed promise during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, where he secured a strong third-place finish. This performance marked a positive shift in his points accumulation and boosted his confidence for the remainder of the season.
Having competed in top-tier American open-wheel racing since 2018, Colton Herta has over 100 race starts to his name and is recognized as one of the leading drivers on the current IndyCar grid. His 2024 season was particularly successful, concluding the 17-race campaign in second place overall with 513 points, two victories, three pole positions, and consistent top finishes throughout.
Challenges Ahead for Herta to Improve Standing
Currently placed ninth in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, Herta recognizes the need to maintain and improve his performance if he aims to finish the season within the top five. With ten Grand Prix events remaining, consistency will be essential to maximize his points haul and avoid setbacks.
The 25-year-old driver cannot afford many mistakes as the championship progresses, making each upcoming race critical for boosting his position. His recent success in Detroit suggests he has the capability to compete fiercely against his rivals throughout the year.
