Colton Herta, a former IndyCar driver, is preparing for a new chapter in his racing career by joining Cadillac’s Formula 1 program ahead of the 2026 season. Under the TWG Motorsports umbrella, Herta will compete full-time in Formula 2 (F2) while serving as a reserve driver for Cadillac’s F1 team. This move aims to secure the superlicence points necessary for Herta to eventually secure a full-time F1 seat.
Herta’s journey to Formula 1 has been unconventional. Starting his career in the Formula racing ladder, the American driver dreamed of reaching F1. However, his path led him to IndyCar, where he established himself as a top contender, notably challenging title rivals such as Alex Palou. Despite his success in IndyCar, Herta’s ambition to race in Formula 1 remained strong.
The Superlicence Challenge and Will Buxton’s Warning
Following the 2025 season, Herta was linked with a potential full-time seat at Cadillac’s new American F1 team. Yet, he faced a significant barrier: insufficient superlicence points. This restriction prevented him from jumping directly into F1, resulting in his signing as a reserve driver while racing full-time in F2 to accumulate the required points.
Will Buxton, a seasoned motorsport commentator and former F1TV host, recently highlighted the challenges Herta will encounter during this transition. Speaking on the Business of Speed podcast, Buxton pointed out the steep learning curve awaiting Herta, especially regarding the specific characteristics of F2 racing.
“Whether he (Herta) will fare well enough in Formula 2 is a big question. I think that the biggest thing standing in his way is the very specific nature of the Pirelli tires, European tracks that he’s now not raced on for, what, a decade. You know, all these kids will have raced in F3. They know the tires. They know the tracks. Colton doesn’t know any of that,” said Will Buxton
“So any suggestion that he’s just going to walk in and wipe the floor with people, I think is a bit of an overreach. He will find it hard. There’s no two ways about it,” he added
Advice from Enzo Fittipaldi on Adapting to Formula 2
Enzo Fittipaldi, grandson of F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi, currently racing in INDY NXT for the 2026 season, offered guidance to Herta before his F2 debut. Having spent several years in the Formula racing ladder, Fittipaldi understands the complexities Herta faces in adapting to a new environment and tire behavior.
“My advice to Colton is to learn how the tires work, ‘cuz I feel the working window of the Pirelli tires in Formula 2 is very small. So I feel the more experience you have on how to bring the tires in, knowing when the tires are in the optimal window to do the push lap in qualifying is gonna be extremely important, and as well with the team supporting him on that is gonna be very important.”
For the 2026 F2 season, Herta will compete with Hitech GP alongside teammate Ritoma Miyata, aiming to gain the experience needed to adapt to F2’s unique demands and accumulate the superlicence points required to step up to F1.
The Path Forward and What Lies Ahead for Herta
The transition to Formula 2 represents a crucial step for Colton Herta’s Formula 1 aspirations. His lack of recent exposure to European circuits and the intricacies of Pirelli’s tires pose significant hurdles compared to his competitors, many of whom have developed their skills through the existing European single-seater series. Success in F2 will be essential not just for gathering points but also for proving his adaptability and capability to the Cadillac F1 team.
Considering the intense competition and technical demands, Herta’s journey will be closely watched by motorsport fans and industry insiders alike. His performance in the 2026 F2 season could determine whether he can finally fulfill his longstanding ambition to race at the highest level in Formula 1.
