Bryan Herta, father of racing driver Colton Herta, expressed his gratitude for having worked closely with his son in the IndyCar series before Colton’s decision to pursue a career in Formula 1. The 25-year-old will compete in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship as a strategic step to secure his goal of joining the F1 grid, marking a major shift from American open-wheel racing.
Previously, Colton had discussions with Red Bull about joining their sister team, Alphatauri (now Racing Bulls), during the 2023 season. However, the deal collapsed due to his inability to accumulate enough FIA Super License points to qualify for a race seat. This barrier has challenged the Santa Clarita native for years. The recent entry of Cadillac into Formula 1 appears to have opened a new pathway for him to chase his F1 dream.
Bryan Herta Reflects on His Time Working with Colton
With Colton departing from the Andretti Autosport squad, where his father was also involved, Bryan Herta revealed on the Racers Unchained podcast the treasured moments they shared during their time together in IndyCar. Despite not always being on Colton’s radio communications, they spent significant time in the same engineering trailer, creating a strong father-son connection amidst the pressures of professional racing.
“I feel so lucky getting to have worked with Colton in IndyCar even when I wasn’t on his radio, right? We’re all in the same engineering trailer. I got to spend so much time with him these last few years that dads will get that right, like your adult children, you don’t get that time with them anymore. But because we work together, I was with him a lot, and a lot of times he’d be like, ‘Hey, you know, dad, do you want to go grab us some dinner and stuff?’ And I cherish all that time with him.” Bryan Herta, Father
“I have an adult daughter… I don’t have that kind of a thing with her where I been able to spend as much time. And I’m lucky, but I’m also proud and looking forward to kind of just cheering for him, being, just being a parent there, race dad, and watching what he does with this opportunity.” Bryan Herta, Father
What Colton Herta Must Achieve in Formula 2 for His Super License
As a test and development driver for Cadillac’s F1 program, Colton’s rookie year in Formula 2 will focus on gaining familiarity with the circuits used in the Formula 1 calendar. Nevertheless, this alone will not be enough for an immediate F1 race seat with Cadillac. To satisfy the FIA Super License requirements, a critical step toward racing in F1, Colton must secure certain results in the F2 championship.
Currently, Colton holds 32 super license points, but one point is due to expire next year. To guarantee his eligibility, he needs to finish sixth or better in the 2026 F2 standings. Failing a top-six finish, he still has the chance to accumulate points during the 2027 F2 season. His 30 points earned for a prospective second-place finish in IndyCar in 2024 will remain valid through 2027, providing a fallback option.
This approach positions Colton with several opportunities to eventually meet the super license standards necessary to join Cadillac’s Formula 1 team, possibly filling a future vacancy when driver Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez departs.
The Broader Context and Future Prospects for Colton Herta
Colton Herta’s bold decision to leave a familiar path in American open-wheel racing to enter Formula 2 and pursue Formula 1 reflects a pressing challenge faced by many drivers: the difficulties in obtaining enough super license points despite evident talent. His trajectory highlights the increasing importance of strategic career moves within international motorsport circuits.
Cadillac’s recent entry into Formula 1 creates a fresh opportunity for American drivers like Herta to join the sport at its highest level, breaking from traditional barriers. Bryan Herta’s reflections underline the emotional dimension of this transition—not only a professional leap for Colton but also an evolution in their personal relationship as father and son in the high-pressure racing world.
As Colton embarks on his F2 rookie year in 2026, the motorsport community will watch closely to see whether his calculated pathway will pay off, providing an opening for a renewed American presence in Formula 1 through Cadillac and setting a precedent for others aiming to follow an unconventional route to the pinnacle of racing.
