Colton Herta has announced a surprising change of direction in his career. The 25-year-old American driver, who has established himself as a frontrunner in the IndyCar Series, is stepping away from the United States’ premier open-wheel championship to contest the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2026. This unusual move for a driver with Herta’s résumé is closely tied to Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 in the same season.
The plan is clear. Herta will use Formula 2 as a proving ground to demonstrate his ability to master unfamiliar circuits and secure the final points needed for his FIA Super Licence. His ultimate ambition is to secure a regular Formula 1 seat with Cadillac in 2027. This decision reflects a willingness to take risks, as well as the strategic calculation that the path to Formula 1 requires a step back before a step forward.
Herta announced his decision during an interview on the “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi” podcast, explaining that this was his best chance yet to achieve his long-held goal.
“Everyone has seen how close I’ve been to Formula 1 in the past,” he said. “I think this is my best chance to finally make it.”
A proven IndyCar record
Herta’s record in IndyCar is already well established. He became the youngest race winner in the series when he triumphed at the Circuit of the Americas in 2019, aged just 18.
Over the following years, he added eight more victories to his tally, consistently demonstrating both outright speed and racecraft. His best championship results came in 2020 and 2024, when he finished third and runner-up overall respectively.
Given this pedigree, his decision to step into Formula 2 is all the more striking. For many drivers, success in IndyCar represents the pinnacle of their careers. The series is fiercely competitive, with established teams, talented drivers and iconic events such as the Indianapolis 500. Herta has been a regular challenger for race victories and a genuine contender for titles in that mix for several seasons.
Yet despite this, Formula 1 has remained an unfinished chapter. He has had opportunities in the past, most notably when Andretti Global tried to secure him a place on the Formula 1 grid. However, that move was blocked, partly due to questions over his Super License points tally, and he has had to wait patiently ever since.
Risks and recent cautionary tales
The path Herta is taking is not without hazards. Formula 2, designed as the final step before Formula 1, has proven challenging even for highly rated drivers. The case of Ritomo Miyata highlights the risks involved. Miyata, a Toyota protégé and champion of both Super GT and Super Formula in Japan, moved to Formula 2 in 2024. Despite his credentials, he finished 19th in the standings in his debut season and struggled again in 2025.
For Herta, this illustrates the challenge. Success in IndyCar does not guarantee success in Formula 2, where the machinery is standardised and the racing largely takes place on circuits that are new to him. The environment is also heavily European-centric, meaning he will need to adapt culturally as well as competitively.
Herta is realistic about the scale of the challenge. “It was an incredibly difficult decision because I know exactly what I’m leaving behind in IndyCar,” he admitted.
‘There, I have a great team, an extremely competitive series, and the chance to win every weekend. In Formula 1, you also need the right car. Nevertheless, I decided to take the risk.”
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The Cadillac connection
The key to this decision lies in Cadillac’s confirmed entry into Formula 1 from 2026. The American manufacturer will partner with Andretti Global and establish a comprehensive presence in the championship. Herta has already been signed as a development driver, giving him early access to the project.
His Formula 2 campaign will serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it will enable him to gain valuable racing experience on many of the circuits that form part of the Formula 1 calendar, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Secondly, it should earn him the Super License points he needs. Currently, Herta has 34 points from his IndyCar achievements. Finishing inside the top eight in Formula 2 in 2026 would take him to the required total of 40.
“As a racing driver, you’re constantly betting on yourself,” said Herta. “I believe in myself and I know I’m fast enough. Of course, there’s a lot of work involved in understanding the differences between IndyCar and Formula 1, but I’m ready to give it my all.”
His goal is to secure a full race seat with Cadillac in 2027. The American brand is expected to place a strong emphasis on having a domestic driver accompany its F1 debut, and with his established following and proven ability, Herta fits the bill perfectly.
Balancing IndyCar loyalties
While Herta is fully committed to Formula 2, he has not ruled out contesting the Indianapolis 500 as a one-off. The jewel in the IndyCar crown does not clash with the Formula 2 schedule, and Herta has not ruled out the possibility.
“If it makes sense, I’m open to it,” he said, “but it mustn’t distract me from my main goal, which is to get into Formula 1 with Cadillac.”
He also insists that this is not a permanent farewell to IndyCar.
“This isn’t a final goodbye,” he emphasised. “I love IndyCar and definitely see myself racing there again at some point.”
For now, however, his focus is entirely on Formula 2 and the opportunities presented by Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1.
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A calculated gamble
Herta’s decision will inevitably divide opinion. On the one hand, there is admiration for the courage required to leave a comfortable and successful IndyCar career behind in pursuit of Formula 1. On the other hand, some are sceptical that Formula 2 is the right path for a driver who has already proven himself at a high level.
The case for optimism lies in Herta’s raw pace and adaptability. He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to learn quickly, and his car control has earned him praise from peers and pundits alike. If he can acclimatise quickly to Formula 2 machinery and deliver consistent performances, the move could be highly rewarding.
However, the risks remain significant. Formula 2 is notorious for its unpredictability. The cars are identical, the margins are fine and luck often plays a part. Even talented drivers can find themselves stuck in the midfield, which would jeopardise Herta’s plans.
The broader American picture
Herta’s gamble also reflects the wider ambitions of American motorsport in Formula 1. With Liberty Media aggressively promoting the sport in the United States — with races in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas — and Cadillac now entering as a manufacturer, there has never been a greater desire for an American driver. Herta is the obvious candidate to fill that role.
Success in Formula 2 would also demonstrate that IndyCar talent deserves recognition on the global stage. For decades, few drivers have made the switch from the US to Formula 1. Herta is attempting to bridge that gap, and if he succeeds, it could open doors for others. Colton Herta has chosen an unexpected path, but it could lead him to the opportunity he has been chasing for years. Formula 2 in 2026 will be a stern test, but the prize is a place with Cadillac in Formula 1, which would represent a new chapter in the history of American motorsport.
Norris attacks Verstappen and Monza race stewards
Lando Norris left the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza with more than just another podium finish under his belt. He also left with a fresh grievance with Formula One’s race stewards, and with Max Verstappen, too — not for the first time. The opening metres of the Italian Grand Prix on 7 September 2025 provided enough drama to fuel McLaren’s debrief for several days and enough colourful radio chatter to remind everyone that Norris is not afraid to speak his mind.
The McLaren driver had lined up alongside Verstappen on the front row, angling his car optimistically towards the first chicane. He got off to a sharp start, momentarily nosing ahead of the reigning champion. However, Verstappen, as he has done countless times before, closed the door with an uncompromising shove that left Norris scrabbling across the Monza grass. “What’s that idiot doing? He pushed me into the grass!’ was Norris’s immediate reaction over the team radio, his words providing a raw soundtrack to the early skirmish. For all the smiles off the track, when he has his helmet on, Norris is no stranger to bluntly assessing his peers.
After the race, he remained unconvinced. When asked whether Verstappen had left him enough space at the start, he offered a dry retort: ‘Well, all four wheels were off the track, so I’ll take that as a no. But I also expect that to some extent. I expect a tough defence on the limit.” He added, however, “I don’t think you can just push people into the dirt. He knew from the outset that I was beside him. I had the better launch, and he knew that too.” It was the classic Verstappen–Norris paradox: mutual respect laced with simmering frustration…. READ MORE
Craig.J. Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
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