The talented American driver Colton Herta, IndyCar star, bets on his talent by making an unusual decision: to compete in Formula 2 in 2026, the prelude to Formula 1.
At 25 years old, Herta will join the Hitech team in Formula 2, a risky step but with high expectations. The challenge will be considerable: after years in IndyCar, she will have to adapt to unknown circuits, complex Pirelli tires, and young talents who are already familiar with these conditions.
Herta, backed by Cadillac and his F1 team boss, Graeme Lowdon, sees this opportunity as his last chance to reach Formula 1. The decision was driven by Cadillac’s desire to have him ready for F1.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me to learn about cars, tires, tracks, etc., and really put myself on the starting line for when I have the opportunity in Formula 1 to be able to succeed.”
Colton Herta
Herta acknowledges the difficulty of the championship and the competition from the teams and drivers. His goal is to learn and understand the technical aspects in order to be competitive in F1.Herta’s decision is based on the particularities of modern motorsport, including geography and the FIA’s superlicense system. The superlicense points system, which values FIA categories more, has been an obstacle for Herta.
McLaren driver Lando Norris has expressed his opinion on Herta’s situation, suggesting that IndyCar should have more weight in the points system. Herta has had to be patient, and now sees the opportunity as a blessing in disguise.
Herta believes that the opportunity to learn before reaching F1 is valuable. His debut in Formula 2 with Hitech will be at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, coinciding with Cadillac’s debut in F1.
