Colton Herta has confirmed his next step in Formula 2 with Hitech, taking the bold decision to step away from IndyCar and pursue a seat in Formula 1.<\/p>\n
To do so, however, he has had to go from a top-line series in the United States to what is still, ostensibly, a junior series on the way to Formula 1. Being a firmly established racer Stateside, this is a brave move on his part \u2013 one for which he should be applauded \u2013 but it does not come without its risks.<\/p>\n
Why has Colton Herta accepted a Formula 2 drive in 2026?<\/p>\n
On top of testing and simulator work with Cadillac F1 next season, there is one main reason why Herta has taken this switch: FIA Super Licence points.<\/p>\n
He is currently several points short of the 40 required to gain an FIA Super Licence \u2013 a key requirement to race in Formula 1 \u2013 and having previously failed to gain an exemption to race for Red Bull\u2019s sister team, AlphaTauri, in 2023, Herta is heading to the series to try to get into Formula 1 through a more traditional route.<\/p>\n
Not only are there more Super Licence points available in Formula 2 than IndyCar, they extend to more drivers further down the standings, which gives him the best chance possible to gain what he requires.<\/p>\n
Having also spent the last seven years in IndyCar, it will get Herta used to racing on the Formula 1 support calendar, driving tracks upon which he will hope to race in future, and there are also the challenges of both trying different machinery, and the unique styles required to master Pirelli tyres compared to Firestones.<\/p>\n
With 40 points required over a three-year period, we understand he will be taking at least 34 points forward at the end of the 2026 season, having finished second in the IndyCar standings in 2024, and seventh in 2025, with one lingering point from 2023 set to expire at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n
What makes this such a big risk for Colton Herta?<\/p>\n
There are several reasons why the American has taken the switch to Formula 2, but it does represent a significant risk for him.<\/p>\n
He is already well-established in IndyCar, a nine-time race winner there \u2013 including being the series\u2019 youngest ever winner \u2013 and at 26 next year, he will be one of the oldest and most experienced drivers in the Formula 2 series.<\/p>\n
But, as he noted on the Off-Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast in September, it is a risk he is willing to take to pursue his dream.<\/p>\n
More on Cadillac F1:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Cadillac F1: Everything you need to know about the new 11th team<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0How Cadillac completed the Italian Grand Prix without even being on the grid<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think this is my best shot at getting to Formula 1,\u201d Herta admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cIt goes without saying, the risk factor\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it was an incredibly tough decision to make, because I know what I\u2019m leaving behind.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m leaving behind a great group of guys, an incredibly competitive championship where if it\u2019s your day you can win, and we\u2019ve seen that\u2019s not always the case in Formula 1 \u2013 you need the car to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though he will be going into completely new territory in almost every area \u2013 machinery, tyres and circuits \u2013 there will still be the added pressure of being a multiple race winner in one of the biggest series in the world, perhaps even painting an unintentional target on his back in the process among his rivals.<\/p>\n