Colton Herta F1 pursuit takes a significant turn as Cadillac F1’s test driver Colton Herta leaves his established IndyCar career behind, eyeing a future in Formula 1. Herta, 25, will compete in the 2026 Formula 2 season with Hitech TGR, despite already proving himself at a senior level in American open-wheel racing, fulfilling a team request to follow a traditional F1 development path.
Cadallic F1’s leadership, notably CEO Dan Towriss, required that Herta demonstrate his skills in Formula 2, ensuring he earns his F1 seat by the same standards as his future competitors. This decision places Herta, a driver in his mid-twenties, onto a grid generally filled with far younger talents, making his journey both unconventional and highly scrutinized.
Mario Andretti Commends Herta’s Risk and Ambition
Mario Andretti, the last American to claim a Formula 1 championship, has publicly supported Herta’s recent career shift. The racing legend, whose son Michael Andretti leads the IndyCar team Herta once raced for, emphasized the courage required for such a move and respects the passion driving Herta’s choices.
“Do exactly what he’s doing. That-a-boy. At one point, you have to make a decision. I dabbled in F1 early on. Started in 1968, but didn’t really commit myself until 1975, when it was now or never. He’s a lot younger than I was, and he’s doing it out of sheer passion, which is something I respect tremendously.”
— Mario Andretti, F1 Champion
Andretti also addressed Herta’s on-track strengths, referencing the American’s reputation for outright speed during his IndyCar victories, a trait the legend believes makes Herta a genuine F1 hopeful.
“I always thought he would be a candidate as an American driver over there, and what I like is that every race he won in IndyCar… was down to pure speed. That’s huge.”
— Mario Andretti, F1 Champion
The Roadblocks Herta Has Encountered in Pursuit of Formula 1
Although Colton Herta was a leading contender for a Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) F1 seat for 2023, his ambitions were stalled by FIA regulations. Helmut Marko advocated for Herta’s appointment as Pierre Gasly’s replacement, but the move was denied due to Herta lacking the super licence points required by the FIA.
This episode underlines the complexity of the F1 entry process, especially for drivers transitioning from series like IndyCar, where point systems do not always reflect their experience or achievement level. The setback has only increased attention toward Herta’s F2 campaign, as this represents his most tangible path to fulfilling super licence criteria.
Pato O’Ward Weighs In On the Challenge Awaiting Herta
Pato O’Ward, who races for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar and serves as the McLaren F1 team’s reserve driver, has highlighted both the difficulty and the uncertainty Colton Herta faces as he moves toward Formula 1. O’Ward draws from his own direct experiences to provide perspective on the daunting learning curve involved.
“I really hope he’s got the tools in order to showcase himself because a lot of that is down to the car he’s given by his team. He’s very talented, but it won’t automatically fall into his hands. You’re up against guys that have been there for many years, that know how everything works with much more experience over there. There’s a steep learning curve that he’s going to have to go through.”
— Pato O’Ward, IndyCar and McLaren F1 Reserve Driver
“It’s a very different driving style and it takes time to adapt. It’s not just a flick of a switch, and like, ‘Hey, I’m going to be instantly competitive.’ If it doesn’t go well, there’s always going to be those guys that hook to that and use that as rage bait. So that’s the reality,” the Arrow McLaren driver added.
— Pato O’Ward, IndyCar and McLaren F1 Reserve Driver
O’Ward’s remarks stress the importance of a supportive team and suitable equipment, suggesting that Herta’s outcomes will depend not just on his own skill but also on the environment provided by Hitech TGR and, eventually, Cadillac F1. The adaptation required to excel in F1 machinery is substantial, and not all talented drivers immediately thrive in the new context.
Significance of Herta’s Move for American Racing Aspirations
Colton Herta’s journey could impact how American drivers are perceived in the Formula 1 universe and highlight the differences between IndyCar and F1 developmental routes. As he aims to bridge the divide between the American and European racing scenes, his performance in F2 and a potential F1 seat could inspire other IndyCar talents to consider a similar path, while also drawing more international attention to the depth of American talent. Racing icons such as Mario Andretti and organizations like Andretti Global, McLaren, and Cadillac F1 are closely connected to this unfolding story, which promises to reshape American engagement and ambition in global motorsport.
