Colton Herta completes first two days of F2 testing in Abu Dhabi
Colton Herta has begun his F2 evaluation with Hitech GP at the Abu Dhabi post-season test, completing 172 laps over two days. The IndyCar star's program focused on acclimatization and long-run data, with his best time placing him 15th overall. He returns for the final day of running on Friday.
American IndyCar star Colton Herta has completed his first two days of Formula 2 testing with Hitech GP at Yas Marina Circuit, focusing on acclimatization and data collection over headline lap times. The test marks his first official outing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship car as he evaluates a potential future in the series.
Why it matters:
Herta's participation in the post-season test is a significant step in assessing his adaptability to the European racing ladder and the specific demands of F2 machinery. For a driver long linked with a Formula 1 future, performing well in this environment is crucial for maintaining that trajectory, especially with the 2026 F1 driver market beginning to take shape.
The details:
- Herta's program was methodical, beginning with basic familiarization. He completed 32 laps on Wednesday morning with a best time of 1:39.792.
- His pace improved incrementally as he grew more comfortable, setting a 1:39.416 in the afternoon after 51 more laps.
- On Thursday, he showed further progress, lowering his benchmark to a 1:38.115 during the morning session.
- The team shifted focus in the afternoon to long-run, heavy-fuel simulations to study tire behavior and car balance over a stint, resulting in a slower time of 1:42.263 over 53 laps.
- After two days, Herta completed a total of 172 laps, making him one of the busiest drivers in the test. His best time placed him 15th in the combined standings, just over a second off the ultimate pace and four-tenths quicker than his newly announced Hitech teammate for 2025, Ritomo Miyata.
What's next:
Herta will return to the track for the third and final day of the Abu Dhabi post-season test on Friday. His focus will remain on building comfort and understanding with the car, rather than chasing a single-lap time. The data and feedback gathered over these three days will be vital for both Herta and Hitech to evaluate their potential partnership and his performance relative to the established F2 field.