Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has expressed skepticism about F1’s surge in popularity across the United States simply because Cadillac F1 has signed American driver Colton Herta. Steiner pointed to the struggles of another American driver, Logan Sargeant, who, despite his entry into F1, failed to make a significant impact. Steiner argues that Herta must produce results on track rather than rely on nationality to boost American interest in the sport.
During his fifteen months at Williams, Logan Sargeant scored only one championship point and accrued over four million dollars in crash-related damages. This lackluster performance did little to support his case for staying in Formula 1 or to advance the sport’s ambition of gaining more fans in America.
Steiner emphasized that even though Cadillac and Herta are prominent American names, with Herta being a highly accomplished IndyCar racer, success is vital to advancing Formula 1’s profile in the U.S. Without proven achievements, the hoped-for American breakthrough will remain elusive.
“He (Herta) needs to be successful. It’s not an automatic thing, just having an American driver, because we had Logan Sargeant in Formula 1. Obviously, having Cadillac will help as well, a big American brand, but it needs to come with success, and then it will work,” Steiner told Autosport.
“Formula 1 in general is a global sport. The nationality counts very little. But if you have an American winner that wins a championship, you would have all America behind it. It’s pretty clear,” the former Haas boss added.
After being dismissed by Haas at the end of the 2024 season, Steiner stepped away from his team role, noting the lack of promising progress within the squad. During much of 2025, he operated as a media figure within the F1 paddock before transitioning to MotoGP. He will soon lead the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team as CEO, following a consortium‘s purchase of the team for roughly 20 million euros.
The Road for Colton Herta to Establish Himself in Formula 1
Colton Herta, once the standout driver for Andretti Global in IndyCar and its highest-paid competitor, is now embarking on a challenging path with Cadillac F1 under the umbrella of TWG Motorsports, which also owns Andretti Global. At 25 years old, Herta’s appointment as a test driver for the new Cadillac F1 team represents a critical step toward his longstanding childhood ambition of reaching Formula 1.
TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss has played a significant role in facilitating Herta’s progression closer to F1 by securing him this test driver position. However, Herta still must earn the required six FIA super licence points to compete fully in F1, prompting him to race in Formula 2 in 2026. This demands proving his readiness at lower tiers before rising to the Formula 1 stage.
The decision to place Herta, a champion in American open-wheel racing, into Formula 2—a category considered a feeder series to F1—is unusual. Nonetheless, Towriss described this move as a gesture of respect toward the European racing structure and a strategic way to prepare Herta for the rigors of Formula 1 competition.
“This is Formula 1, he needs to show that he’s ready to race on this big stage from that standpoint,” Towriss told RACER. “And I think it’s both what he’s learning and then showing and creating confidence into the team and management that he’s ready to go.”
Looking ahead, Cadillac F1 has confirmed multi-year deals for established drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez beginning in 2026. Herta is viewed as a potential replacement for one of these drivers sometime in 2027 or later, if he can demonstrate the capability to succeed at the highest level.
What’s at Stake for American Representation in Formula 1
Guenther Steiner’s reflections highlight the broader stakes involved with American drivers’ attempts to make a mark in Formula 1. The sport’s global nature typically means nationality is secondary to performance, but having a successful American champion could produce an unprecedented shift in fan engagement across the United States.
Steiner’s cautious outlook serves as a reminder that enthusiasm alone will not guarantee growth in popularity or success for American racing icons. Instead, drivers like Herta must earn their place through measurable accomplishments on the track, proving they can compete and win against the world’s best.
This underlines the pressure on Colton Herta to not only secure an FIA super licence but to translate his status as a famed IndyCar performer into consistent success within the sport. His journey through Formula 2 and eventual opportunities at Cadillac F1 will be closely watched by American fans hoping for a breakthrough figure in what remains a predominantly European-dominated championship.
