Get ready for an exciting journey as Colton Herta embarks on a new chapter in his racing career!
The Challenge Ahead: Colton's F2 Adventure
Colton Herta, a top IndyCar driver, is taking on a bold new challenge as he joins Formula 2 in 2026. But here's the catch: he's not expecting an easy ride. Despite his impressive resume, Herta is under no illusion that he'll dominate F2 right off the bat.
As a 2024 IndyCar runner-up, Herta has been signed by Cadillac, F1's newest team, as a test driver. With a debut in the world championship scheduled for 2026, Cadillac has its eyes on promoting American talent, and Herta, with his experience racing for Andretti in IndyCar since 2020, fits the bill perfectly.
But here's where it gets controversial: F2 is notoriously tricky, and Herta knows he'll have his work cut out for him. He's aware that matching the pace of F2 frontrunners, let alone F3 graduates, will be a tall order.
"I want to be competitive," Herta told F2's official website. "That's the goal, and I aim to achieve it quickly. But let's be real, it would be foolish to think I'll be winning my first F2 race. These guys are fast, and I need to earn my place."
And this is the part most people miss: Herta is not just jumping into F2 blindly. He's preparing, learning from the experiences of others, and seeking guidance from F2 graduates who've made the jump to IndyCar. He's even been spotted testing an F2 car on a wet Monza track, getting a feel for the unique challenges it presents.
"It's all about being fast in the race car," Herta explained. "I'm here to learn, to drive, and to show what I can do. I know it won't be easy, but I'm up for the challenge."
Herta will be joining the Hitech squad, the same team that helped fellow IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong succeed in F2 in 2022. Hitech has consistently been a frontrunner since joining F2 in 2020, and with drivers like Luke Browning and Dino Beganovic, they're in the running for this year's teams' title.
"When we were looking at teams, results were key," Herta clarified. "Hitech has proven itself as a professional outfit, and I believe they'll best prepare me for the jump to Formula 1."
So, what do you think? Is Herta's move to F2 a smart career choice, or a risky one? Will he be able to make the transition successfully? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
