Colton Herta, a nine-time IndyCar winner and the 2024 IndyCar runner-up, is set to move from IndyCar racing to Formula 2 in 2026, according to Cadillac Formula 1 team CEO Dan Towriss. This unexpected change is part of Herta’s plan to prepare for a possible debut in Formula 1 by 2027, marking a rare move backward into junior single-seaters for such a high-profile IndyCar driver.
Cadillac’s F1 entry will feature experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with Herta joining the team as a test and development driver. The American brand aims to nurture talent from the United States, making Herta’s involvement strategically important for the team’s future.
The Strategic Shift and Its Challenges
Dan Towriss, who also leads TWG Motorsports that manages both Andretti IndyCar and the Cadillac F1 projects, highlighted the risks involved in Herta’s decision. Instead of moving directly into Formula 1, Herta will have to adapt to Formula 2, mastering new circuits and tire dynamics vastly different from what IndyCar demands.
“We’ve been fortunate to keep Colton at Andretti in the IndyCar team, and so now, he’s going to pursue that dream in Formula 1,”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
“He’s leaving IndyCar, he’s not going directly to Formula 1 – this is a test and development driver role – and so he’s going to be going into F2. He’s got to learn tracks, he’s got to learn tyres – tyres are a big part of that, very different from IndyCar from that standpoint. I couldn’t be more proud of Colton, to be willing to take that risk to pursue his dream.”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
This bold move reflects Herta’s determination to make it into Formula 1 despite the unconventional nature of stepping back into a junior series. Towriss praised Herta‘s willingness to leave a well-established and financially comfortable position in IndyCar for a challenging learning curve in Formula 2.
“He’s going to grow tremendously, and he’s got a big opportunity in front of him.”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
Prospects for a Future Formula 1 Seat with Cadillac
Towriss expressed cautious optimism about Herta’s chances of securing a full-time seat in Formula 1 with Cadillac by 2027 but emphasized that Herta must prove himself through results.
“I’m confident Colton will get his shot, but he’s got to earn it, right?”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
The CEO stressed that Herta’s future in Formula 1 is not guaranteed. The driver’s decision to join Formula 2 represents a commitment to demonstrating his capability in an environment that demands exceptional adaptability and disciplined learning.
Towriss reflected on Herta’s choice to accept discomfort and risk rather than remain in a familiar and secure position in IndyCar, highlighting the significance of this career path for the American driver’s development.
Herta’s Background and Previous Formula 1 Connections
At just 25 years old, Colton Herta has already come close to Formula 1 opportunities on several occasions. In 2021, when Andretti was trying to acquire the Sauber F1 team, Herta participated in simulator sessions where he notably outpaced the team’s F1 drivers at that time, including 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi.
“He went over to Switzerland, got on the simulator, and within an hour was faster than the two Formula 1 drivers with the team at that time,”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
However, the Sauber deal collapsed due to control disagreements in the final stages, as noted by Michael Andretti.
In 2022, Herta tested a McLaren F1 car during a two-day session at Portimão, while Red Bull also considered him as a possible replacement for Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri. Despite strong IndyCar performances in 2020 and 2021, Herta was initially denied an FIA superlicence, which is mandatory for F1 racing, halting those plans.
Efforts to facilitate Gasly’s transfer with Alpine were rebuffed by the FIA concerning Herta’s superlicence, ultimately causing Red Bull to abandon their pursuit of the Californian driver.
Why Cadillac Chooses Herta as Their Development Driver
Herta’s extensive experience and demonstrated adaptability have made him an appealing prospect for Cadillac’s Formula 1 ambitions. Towriss pointed out that Herta’s prior testing and near-F1 engagements contributed significantly to his current status within the team.
“He’s built up a natural body of work that not everybody knows about in Formula 1, in terms of some of the tests that he’s done from that standpoint, even to drawing interest from Red Bull later on from there,”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
When asked why Herta could be key to Cadillac’s future in Formula 1, Towriss emphasized the driver’s natural skill set and adaptability.
“Colton, through the various tests we’ve talked about, has shown a high potential in a Formula 1-type car,”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
“He’s very good at high-commitment corners, he’s done very well on street, road-type courses.”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
Herta has excelled on street and road courses, winning every single one of his nine IndyCar races on such tracks and earning most of his podium finishes there.
“Colton also adapts to new information very, very quickly, and his driving style has been adapted to doing a lot of complex things in the car,”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
“All of those are going to be skills that are needed in Formula 1.”
—Dan Towriss, CEO, Cadillac Formula 1 team
Implications for Colton Herta’s Career and American Motorsport
Colton Herta’s switch from a leading IndyCar role to competing in Formula 2 is a highly unusual decision, underscoring his ambition to break into Formula 1, which remains the pinnacle of single-seater racing. This move places him on a challenging but necessary path, learning critical aspects like vehicle dynamics and tire management specific to Formula 1 machinery.
His progress in Formula 2 will be closely watched as a key indicator of his readiness for the world’s top motorsport category. For Cadillac, nurturing Herta fits their broader strategy of embedding American talent within their F1 project, potentially reshaping the profile of American drivers in Formula 1.
With experienced teammates like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas setting high benchmarks, Herta’s development period beginning in 2026 will be crucial for his chances to secure a racing seat by 2027. His determination to face discomfort for the sake of growth could inspire a new generation of racers aiming to make the leap into Formula 1.
