Colton Herta Makes Important Progress Toward Securing a Cadillac F1 Racing Position.

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      Cadillac F1 Team test driver Colton Herta is set to race with the esteemed Hitech Formula 2 team starting in 2026, which should provide him with the essential experience and confidence to compete globally in the upcoming years. This transition will fully immerse him in the European single-seater circuit, which is crucial for his aspirations in Formula 1.

      Herta deserves recognition for taking this step. He is leaving a relatively secure position in IndyCar to pursue his ambition of racing in F1. After a successful stint in the American series and developing a strong rapport with Andretti Global and the Towriss family, he quickly established himself within the Cadillac F1 organization. However, this alone will not suffice to reach the apex of motorsport.

      Meg Oliphant via Getty Images Meg Oliphant

      At 25, the Californian will shift from competing against some of the best open-wheel drivers in the world—many of whom are former F1 racers—at speeds of 230 mph and on a variety of circuits during the IndyCar season, to racing against younger talents; some are rising stars, while others are inexperienced youngsters, and a few may be spoiled with wealthy backing. Herta undoubtedly possesses a wealth of experience behind the wheel that surpasses that of most of his rivals, along with significant knowledge in car setup and development. When paired with the expertise of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, the outlook for Cadillac looks promising.

      "I'm incredibly excited to officially join F2 for the 2026 Formula 2 season," Herta expressed. "This fantastic opportunity will allow me to enhance my skills in European racing and measure myself against some of the finest young drivers in the world. Competing on the same weekends as Formula 1 will give me invaluable experience of that environment and aid my growth within the Cadillac F1 family. I'm truly thankful to Cadillac and Hitech for their faith and support, and I'm eager to get underway."

      Herta rightly emphasizes a critical point: “Racing on the same weekends as Formula 1 will give me first-hand experience of that environment.” I genuinely believe this is a significant hurdle to entering F1—beyond possessing money and talent. This dilemma is especially pertinent for many young American racers; they must decide whether to remain in North America and risk being largely unnoticed globally or move to Europe at a young age for a chance to become a global racing star. There's little room for compromise.

      Justin Casterline via Getty Images Justin Casterline

      At 25, Herta is already considered late to enter F1, which is both intriguing and disheartening. For perspective, four-time world champion Max Verstappen is 28, title contender Lando Norris is 25, while current championship leader Oscar Piastri is just 24. The youngest driver on the grid is Kimi Antonelli, who is merely 19.

      "Colton has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and professionalism throughout his career," Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cadillac Formula 1 Team, remarked. "His transition into Formula 2 with Hitech is a natural and pivotal step in his journey towards Formula 1. Competing in F2 will not only enhance his racing skills in the European arena but also facilitate closer integration with our team as he continues to support us through testing and simulator duties."

      Despite experiencing his share of frustrating moments (and at times, bad luck) during his IndyCar career, there have been numerous instances where it seemed Herta could've achieved more with better equipment, team strategy, etc. This isn't to criticize the Andretti crew, but rather to commend Herta, who often displayed potential beyond what he could leverage.

      The next two years will provide him the chance to put everything together and start constructing his dream racing career. Hopefully, the final piece will fit smoothly, illustrating a future with an F1 racing seat in 2027 or 2028.

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