Colton Herta makes F2 decision after difficult season amid F1 ambitions

• Colton Herta has ruled out returning to Formula 2 in 2027 after a difficult rookie campaign with Hitech that has left him 19th in the championship.
• The Cadillac F1 development and reserve driver has scored points just four times this season, with a fifth-place finish in Barcelona remaining his best result.
• Despite struggling to adapt to Formula 2, Herta says the experience has increased his respect for the championship and its drivers, and he intends to continue following the series after his departure.

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IndyCar star turned F1 hopeful Colton Herta has ruled out another season of Formula 2 in 2027, following a difficult maiden campaign with Hitech so far.

The American stepped away from his Andretti IndyCar seat to contest F2, while also taking on a development and reserve role with the new Cadillac Formula 1 team for its inaugural season.

Driving in F2 would not only contribute towards Herta’s Super Licence points, needed to race at the highest level of open-wheel racing, but being aligned with Cadillac also offered a potential pathway into F1.

Speaking with F1-Insider.com, the 26-year-old stopped short of confirming his plans for 2027, though was clear in expressing his lack of interest in another season of Formula 2.

“I think we’ll have to wait and see,” Herta said. Adding too that: “But I have no interest in another year of Formula 2.”

“Whatever I do and whatever series I drive in, I want to be competitive.”

Herta sits a lowly 19th in the 22-driver championship, having scored points on only four occasions this year. His best result came in the Barcelona Feature race, where he finished fifth.

A heavy crash during qualifying at Madring last time out saw the American ruled out of both races that weekend, adding further woe to an already miserable season.

Despite his troubles acclimatising to Formula 2, Herta insisted that he will remain a fan of the series even after he departs the category.

“I’ll definitely watch it; I’ll always enjoy following Formula 2 as a racing series,” the American said.

“I think I’ve watched Formula 2 races for the past ten years or so, and I’ll continue to do so.

“I really like the racing style and the races themselves, and I have great respect for the drivers who compete here because I know what they’re capable of.

“I already knew that, but now I know it even more from my own experience and I’m aware of the level at which everyone is operating.

“So, of course, I’m interested in the car, and I’ll see what it looks like, what its downforce figures are, and how well it’s suited for racing next year.

“I’ll definitely keep following it.”

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade and is a member of the AIPS (International Sports Press Association). Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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