Colton Herta Confirmed as Cadillac Test Driver to Strategically Position for F1 Opportunity This title conveys the main points succinctly and highlights the strategic intentions behind Colton Herta’s involvement with Cadillac, emphasizing his goal for a

Colton Herta to Race in Formula 2 with Hitech, Eyes Future F1 Seat

October 21, 2025 – American Motorsports Competitor Colton Herta is set to join the Hitech racing team for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season, marking a significant step in his career as he pursues a long-held aspiration to compete in Formula 1. The announcement comes after Herta was recently named a test driver for the Cadillac F1 Team last month.

From IndyCar to the F2 Feeder series

Herta,a proven talent in the IndyCar Series since his debut in late 2018,will bring a wealth of experience to the European racing scene. he has secured nine victories, nineteen podium finishes, adn sixteen pole positions throughout his IndyCar career. This move represents a purposeful strategy to gain experience on Formula 1 circuits and familiarize himself with Pirelli tires, essential components of the F1 surroundings.

CadillacS Driver Lineup and Herta’s Ambitions

Cadillac has already confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as their race drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season. However, Herta views the F2 championship as a pathway to securing a future race seat with the team. By competing in F2, he aims to demonstrate his capabilities and position himself as a strong contender when opportunities arise.Hitech currently holds second place in the 2025 Teams’ standings, indicating a competitive environment for Herta to develop his skills.

Herta’s Enthusiasm for the Challenge

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Hitech for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season,” said Herta. “this is a big shift in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve loved my time in IndyCar and I’m proud of everything I achieved, but the chance to race in F2 – to compete on the Formula 1 calendar, against some of the best young drivers in the world – was one I couldn’t pass up.”

Herta continued, “I’ve always worked to keep the door to F1 open, and this move is part of that ultimate ambition. I know it won’t be easy – learning the car,the tyres,the tracks – but I’m approaching this with determination,focus,and a lot of motivation. My goal is to compete at the front, continue developing as a driver, and put myself in the best possible position for a future in Formula 1.”

Hitech’s Perspective

Clive Hatton, hitech’s FIA Formula 2 Team Manager, expressed his confidence in Herta’s potential. “We’re delighted to welcome Colton to the team for the 2026 Formula 2 season,” he stated. “He already brings a level of experience, professionalism, and talent that we’re typically used to nurturing in drivers as they progress through the junior categories.” Hatton acknowledged the challenges Herta faces, but emphasized the team’s commitment to maximizing his potential.

Driver	Series	Team	Goal
colton Herta	FIA Formula 2	Hitech	Secure a Formula 1 Seat
Valtteri Bottas	Formula 1	Cadillac	Race Driver
sergio Perez	Formula 1	Cadillac	Race Driver

The Growing Trend of US Drivers in F1

The move of Colton Herta to F2 reflects a growing trend of American drivers seeking opportunities in Formula 1. In recent years, increased investment in F1 teams by American entities – such as Full Throttle Esports, owners of the Haas F1 Team and Gene Haas – and rising popularity of the sport in the United States have created new avenues for American racers. According to Nielsen data from 2024,F1 viewership in the US has increased by 57% as 2020. This growing interest has further spurred the ambition of American drivers to compete at the highest level of motorsport.

Did You Know? in 2024, Logan Sargeant became the first American driver to hold a full-time F1 seat since alexander Rossi in 2015, highlighting the renewed focus on cultivating American talent in the sport.

Frequently Asked Questions about Colton Herta

• What is Colton Herta’s primary goal in joining Formula 2? Herta’s main goal is to develop his skills and position himself for a future Formula 1 drive.
• What is the significance of Herta joining Hitech? Hitech is a competitive team in Formula 2, providing Herta with a strong platform to showcase his talent.
• What experience does Colton Herta bring to Formula 2? Herta has extensive experience in the IndyCar series, including nine wins, nineteen podiums, and sixteen pole positions.
• What role does cadillac play in Herta’s F1 aspirations? Herta has been signed as a test driver for the Cadillac F1 team and hopes to potentially race for them in the future.
• Is there a growing interest in Formula 1 in the united States? Yes, Formula 1 viewership in the US is expanding due to increased investment and media coverage.

What are your thoughts on Herta’s move to F2? Do you think this is a good strategy for him to achieve his Formula 1 dreams?

Share your comments below and join the discussion!

How might Cadillac’s involvement and Herta’s performance as a test driver influence the FIA’s re-evaluation of IndyCar’s point allocation system for super license eligibility?

Colton Herta Confirmed as Cadillac Test Driver to Strategically Position for F1 Opportunity

Herta’s Role with Cadillac: A Pathway to Formula 1?

Colton Herta’s confirmation as a test driver for Cadillac Racing isn’t just a significant move for the American driver; it’s a calculated step towards a potential Formula 1 future. Announced on October 21, 2025, this partnership leverages Cadillac’s growing involvement in motorsport and Herta’s undeniable talent, creating a unique opportunity to navigate the complex requirements for an F1 super license. The move is widely seen as a strategic play, circumventing traditional pathways and perhaps opening doors previously closed to the young American star.

Understanding the Super License Hurdle

The primary obstacle for Herta’s F1 aspirations has always been the FIA’s stringent super license points system. Drivers need 40 points accumulated over a three-year period based on championship results in feeder series. Herta, despite his success in IndyCar, hasn’t met these criteria.

* Current Super License Requirements: Primarily based on finishing positions in FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, and other specified championships.

* IndyCar’s Point Allocation: Historically, IndyCar points have been undervalued in the FIA system, making it arduous for IndyCar drivers to accumulate enough points.

* Cadillac’s Potential Influence: Cadillac’s increasing presence in international motorsport, and potential future involvement in Formula 1 (as a power unit supplier or even a full team), could influence the FIA’s assessment of IndyCar’s point value.

Cadillac’s Motorsport Expansion & F1 Ambitions

Cadillac’s commitment to motorsport is rapidly expanding. This isn’t a fleeting interest; it’s a long-term strategy.

* WEC & IMSA Programs: Cadillac currently competes in both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, demonstrating a serious dedication to racing.

* F1 Power Unit Interest: Cadillac has publicly expressed interest in becoming a power unit supplier for Formula 1, aligning with the sport’s future engine regulations.

* herta’s Testing Role: Herta’s role will involve testing Cadillac’s LMDh prototype and potentially contributing to the progress of future race cars, including those relevant to potential F1 technology. This provides valuable experiance and data for Cadillac while together showcasing Herta’s capabilities.

How the Cadillac Deal Benefits Herta’s F1 Prospects

This partnership isn’t simply about seat time; it’s about building a compelling case for Herta’s inclusion in Formula 1.

* Increased Visibility: Testing with a prominent manufacturer like Cadillac elevates Herta’s profile on the international stage.

* data Acquisition & Analysis: Working with Cadillac’s engineers will hone Herta’s technical skills and understanding of advanced racing technology.

* Potential FIA Scrutiny (Positive): The FIA will be closely watching Herta’s performance and development within the Cadillac program,potentially leading to a re-evaluation of IndyCar’s point allocation.

* networking opportunities: Access to the F1 paddock through Cadillac’s potential involvement provides invaluable networking opportunities with team principals and key personnel.

The Andretti Connection & F1 Entry attempts

The backdrop to this declaration is the ongoing saga of Andretti Global’s attempts to enter Formula 1. Michael Andretti, Herta’s team owner, has been aggressively pursuing an F1 entry for several years.

* Previous Rejection: Andretti’s initial request to join the F1 grid was rejected by the FIA in 2023, citing concerns about the team’s financial stability and operational readiness.

* Revised Application: Andretti has since revised its application, partnering with General Motors (Cadillac’s parent company) to address the previous concerns.

* Herta as a Key Asset: herta is considered a crucial asset for Andretti’s F1 ambitions. His talent and marketability woudl be a significant draw for sponsors and fans.

Potential Teams & Future Scenarios

If Andretti successfully gains entry into Formula 1, Herta is widely expected to be their driver. However, other scenarios are also possible.

* andretti-Cadillac Partnership: A fully-fledged Andretti-cadillac F1 team is the most likely outcome.

* Herta as a Reserve Driver: If a direct drive isn’t immediately available,Herta could secure a reserve driver role with an existing F1 team,gaining valuable