26 December 2025ESPNRumorDriver Ratings
Colton Herta Bets on F2 for Cadillac F1 Seat
IndyCar star Colton Herta is making a risky move to Formula 2 to chase his F1 dream with Cadillac. His performance will be a major test for both his career and the global reputation of the IndyCar series.
IndyCar star Colton Herta is making an unprecedented leap to Formula 2, a step down from a top-tier series, in a high-stakes gamble to secure the superlicense points required for a future seat with the Cadillac F1 team. The move, backed by Cadillac's owners, places both Herta's personal legacy and IndyCar's global reputation on the line as he adapts to a new formula.
Why it matters:
- Herta, a nine-time IndyCar winner and championship contender, is bypassing a comfortable career for a risky, all-or-nothing shot at F1, a path blocked by the sport's strict licensing requirements.
- His performance will be seen as a referendum on IndyCar's competitiveness. A dominant season would elevate the series' global standing, while struggles could fuel criticism from F1-centric fans who question the caliber of its drivers.
The details:
- Herta lacks the FIA superlicense points needed for an F1 seat, despite his impressive IndyCar resume. Racing in F2 with Hitech TGR is the calculated plan to accumulate them for a potential 2027 drive with Cadillac.
- Early tests in Abu Dhabi showed the steep learning curve, with Herta placing mid-pack and admitting he was "still pretty far from being super comfortable in the car."
- A Different Discipline: Unlike IndyCar's robust Firestone tires, F2's delicate Pirellis require a completely different approach. Drivers get minimal "useful laps," spending most of their time carefully managing tire temperature on slow out-laps before a single push lap, a stark contrast to the hard-running style in American open-wheel racing.
What's next:
All eyes will be on Herta when the 2026 F2 season begins. As a seasoned professional competing against junior drivers, expectations will be immense.
- Success would likely pave his path to the Cadillac F1 seat and provide a massive reputational boost for IndyCar. However, any difficulties will be scrutinized by a global F1 audience eager to pass judgment on the caliber of drivers from America's top open-wheel series.