Colton Herta, a proven talent in IndyCar, is set to tackle Colton Herta Formula 2 challenges when he debuts with Hitech TGR in the 2026 Formula 2 season, with preparation for a possible 2027 Formula 1 seat with Cadillac F1 underway. Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has laid out a range of hurdles that Herta must overcome as he transitions from American racing circuits to the high-pressure world of F2, raising questions about how quickly the race winner can adapt to European competition.
Formula 2 Demands Quick Adaptation from Herta
Colton Herta enters Formula 2 with a celebrated background, having secured nine wins and the distinction of being the youngest victor in IndyCar history. However, Herta’s move to F2 represents a significant change, not only in competition level but in the structure and style of racing itself. Bruno Michel noted that F2 differs from IndyCar and Formula 1 in terms of limited track time. F2 race weekends offer drivers just one practice session before moving to qualifying and then racing, whereas IndyCar and F1 typically feature three practice sessions before qualifying and the main event.
Michel warned that Herta will face a compressed learning curve:
“I don’t know how much track time you have in IndyCar, but I think it’s more than in Formula 2 or during a Formula 1 weekend. So he’ll have to prepare quickly, with limited free practice and official tests, which are deliberately limited to keep the category’s costs down.”
This truncated schedule means Herta will need to adapt much faster than he is accustomed to, with less time to trial setups and learn the car’s nuances before critical on-track sessions.
New Tires and European Circuits Pose Further Obstacles
Beyond the constraints of limited practice time, Herta must contend with completely different technical and geographical challenges. For the first time, he will drive on Pirelli tires, which are often described as more sensitive compared to the Firestone rubber used in IndyCar, requiring a finely tuned approach to tire management throughout the race weekend.
“Additionally, there are the peculiarities of the Pirelli tires, known for their sensitivity, the unfamiliar engines, and a calendar consisting largely of European circuits, on which Herta has not yet competed. Many of his competitors do have that experience. He has certain advantages due to his experience, but also challenges that come with the format. Drivers coming from Formula 3 know how a race weekend works. Formula 3 is excellent preparation for Formula 2, something he didn’t have,” he added.
Most of Herta’s rivals will have experience on these European tracks, providing them a distinct edge, and will be familiar with the F2 format thanks to their progression through Formula 3, a path Herta has not taken. As a result, the American star will need to learn new circuits and adjust to a different rhythm of race weekends compared to what he is used to in the States.
Experience Gives Herta Advantages Over Rivals
Despite these obstacles, Bruno Michel addressed the strengths Herta brings to the F2 grid, emphasizing the unique edge gained from his extensive racing record in the U.S. Unlike less experienced drivers entering from junior formulas, Herta carries years of professional racecraft into his rookie F2 season. According to Michel:
“He’s an experienced driver, and that always helps,” Michel said about Colton Herta. “He’s already driven quite a few races, and that works in his favor. His racing skills are probably higher than those of young drivers who come straight from Formula 3 or F2.”
“Another advantage is that IndyCar also uses Dallara chassis, just like ours, although there are differences. However, Dallara has a certain philosophy: equal cars for all drivers, just like in Formula 2. All these factors are important and will certainly help Herta,” the F2 CEO added.
The use of Dallara chassis in both IndyCar and F2, while not identical, could make it slightly easier for Herta to acclimatize to the machinery. In addition, the emphasis on parity in car setup aligns philosophically between the two series, supporting Herta’s adjustment process.
First Official F2 Outing Offers Clues for Herta’s Preparation
Colton Herta’s introduction to current-spec Formula 2 cars took place during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi last December. While he demonstrated competitive pace during the morning sessions, his times dropped substantially in the afternoons, possibly due to Hitech TGR’s varied run plans rather than driver-related factors. This initial test has already provided Herta and his team with valuable insights into the demands ahead as they prepare for his full-time campaign.
What Herta’s F2 Season Could Mean for His Racing Future
The primary reason for Herta’s move to Formula 2 is skill-building, rather than a bid for the F2 title. Cadillac F1 is positioning the American to become familiar with Pirelli tires, learn new tracks, and adapt to international race formats, all essential steps for a successful Formula 1 drive in the future. While the road ahead is lined with complex hurdles, the experience Colton Herta gains in his upcoming F2 season is set to significantly shape his chances of progressing into Formula 1 and could mark a pivotal point in his motorsport career.
