Colton Herta Says Formula 2 Move “Last Shot” at F1 with Cadillac

Colton Herta says he is “betting on himself” as he makes the bold switch from IndyCar to Formula 2 in pursuit of his lifelong dream of racing in Formula 1.

The Californian, who has signed with Cadillac’s F1 programme as a test and development driver, is targeting a full-time seat with the team. But to get there, he must prove himself in Europe’s notoriously cutthroat junior ladder.

“Everyone’s seen how close I’ve come before,” Herta told the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, referencing the collapsed 2023 AlphaTauri deal that fell through due to superlicence points. “I think this is my best shot at getting to Formula 1. Not just a shot – even a lifeline. That’s how much it matters to me.”

At just 25, Herta is already an established name in IndyCar, with nine wins, a third-place finish in the 2020 standings, and runner-up honours in 2024. But he admits leaving such a competitive series for F2 is a gamble.

“The easy thing would be to stay in IndyCar. That would be simple for me,” he said. “But it’s a risk, and it’s a dream of mine. This is my last shot at it. I want to take that chance. For me, it’s really just about fighting for my dream.”

Herta already holds 34 superlicence points thanks to his IndyCar results. A top-eight finish in F2 would push him over the threshold, something Cadillac is widely expected to demand. But beyond the paperwork, Herta knows he must prove he can adapt to the demands of grand prix racing and show he’s a viable upgrade over current F1 veterans like Sergio Pérez or Valtteri Bottas.

“As a racing driver, you’re constantly betting on yourself,” he said. “I believe in myself, I believe I’m fast enough to do it. That’s not saying it’s going to be easy – it’s going to be a lot of work to understand the differences from grand prix racing to IndyCar racing. But if I didn’t think I could do it, I’d stay in IndyCar.”

The move to F2 also places Herta in close proximity to the F1 paddock, allowing him to integrate with Cadillac’s new team and gain valuable testing mileage. And while he hasn’t ruled out a one-off Indy 500 appearance—especially with no clash against Monaco or F2 rounds this year—he insists his full focus is on F1.

“This isn’t a forever goodbye to IndyCar by any means,” Herta stressed. “I see myself coming back at some stage in my career, just because I love it. But right now, the ultimate goal is Formula 1 with Cadillac.”

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