Colton Herta faced a disheartening exit in Round 1 of IndyCar qualifying at Road America, held recently, failing to advance to Round 2 despite competing against top drivers in Group 2. This disappointing result marked another challenging moment in the season for Herta and his Andretti Global team.
In a post-session interview, Herta openly shared his frustration, describing the weekend as a struggle in terms of performance. His candid remarks reflected the pressure he is under to improve for upcoming events.
“Yeah, pretty poor. Nothing to really be happy about, with that one. So, yeah, I don’t really have much to say. I think we haven’t been on it this weekend, unfortunately, and we need to find some stuff for tomorrow for sure,” Herta said via IndyCar on X.
This IndyCar qualifying setback aligns with a season of inconsistencies for the 25-year-old driver, who currently ranks ninth in the overall drivers‘ standings. His accumulated 170 points place him behind several rivals, including Scott McLaughlin, Will Power, Felix Rosenqvist, Scott Dixon, Christian Lundgaard, teammate Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward, and championship leader Alex Palou.
Recent Struggles Reflected in Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Result
Adding to the disappointment at Road America, Herta’s recent performance at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 was also underwhelming. In that 260-lap oval race, he was unable to make a significant impact, finishing in 17th place while his teammate Kyle Kirkwood secured a win.
Following the race, Herta expressed his frustration over the car’s balance and the team’s inability to resolve key setup issues that affected his performance.
“Congrats to Kyle, but it was a super frustrating night for the Gainbridge team. We just lost the balance of the car. We had a very similar starting setup between us and the No. 27 team, so we need to go back and figure out what happened. Like I said, I’m happy for Kyle and the team, but just really frustrated for the No. 26,” Herta said via Andretti Global.
This underperformance contrasts sharply with Herta’s strong 2024 season, during which he finished second in the championship. That campaign saw him gather 513 points, with two wins, three pole positions, 10 top-five finishes, and 13 top-ten results, narrowly trailing the champion Alex Palou.
Implications for Herta’s 2025 IndyCar Season Outlook
Colton Herta’s disappointing IndyCar qualifying at Road America highlights ongoing challenges he faces this season, following a highly successful previous year. His current form underscores the urgent need for adjustments to his car setup and race strategy if he is to contend with strong competitors such as Alex Palou, Kyle Kirkwood, and others.
As the season progresses, how Herta and the Andretti Global team respond to these setbacks will be critical for his title hopes and position in the highly competitive IndyCar field.
