News Summary

Colton Herta has made clear that he does not want to contest a second Formula 2 season in 2027, placing another question over the route designed to take him from IndyCar to Formula 1 with Cadillac.

The American left one of IndyCar’s leading seats to join Hitech in F2 for 2026. The move was intended to expose him to Formula 1 circuits and Pirelli tyres while allowing him to collect the remaining points required for an FIA Super Licence.

That plan has not produced the expected results. Herta is 19th in the championship with 26 points and has scored in only five races. His position would not award any Super Licence points at the end of the season.

Asked about his plans beyond 2026, Herta remained cautious about his destination but dismissed the possibility of repeating the same programme.

“I think we’ll have to wait and see,” Herta told F1 Insider. “But I have no interest in another year of Formula 2.”

Colton Herta’s route from Formula 2 to a Cadillac F1 seat has stalled (Photo: Cadillac)

Difficult F2 season leaves Herta short of F1 target

Herta entered the season with substantial experience compared with the rest of the F2 field. He won nine IndyCar races and finished second in the 2024 championship before temporarily leaving the American series to pursue his Formula 1 ambitions.

His transition has nevertheless proved difficult. Herta has struggled to extract consistent performance from the F2 car and its Pirelli tyres, while Hitech has also spent much of the season away from the front.

The Madrid weekend compounded those problems. Herta crashed heavily during qualifying and subsequently missed both races after continuing to feel unwell.

“We’re simply not fast enough in almost every area, which I find frustrating,” he said when assessing the season. “But I can only work on the things I can influence myself, give my best in those areas and try to support the team and help them as much as possible wherever I can.”

Herta has combined his F2 campaign with test and development duties for Cadillac. He participated in Formula 1 opening practice sessions in Barcelona, Hungary and Italy, although a hydraulic problem at Monza prevented him from completing the 100km needed to collect another Super Licence point.

The 26-year-old said he still requires additional points before becoming eligible to race in F1. The FIA requires drivers to reach 40 points within the relevant assessment period, with points available through championship results and eligible Formula 1 practice appearances.

Cadillac must decide whether Herta remains part of its F1 future

Cadillac supported Herta’s move to F2 and appointed him as a test driver before beginning its first Formula 1 season with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez.

The team has repeatedly expressed an ambition to field an American driver in the future, but Herta’s results have made a direct promotion more difficult. His refusal to remain in F2 means Cadillac must now determine whether additional F1 running can preserve that route or whether his programme needs to change.

A return to IndyCar would be an obvious alternative, although Herta has not confirmed that he is negotiating with any team. Most leading seats for 2027 are already occupied, and his next contract would also need to reflect the status and salary he previously held in the series.

Herta’s statement therefore closes one route without identifying another. Remaining solely as Cadillac’s test and reserve option, pursuing opportunities elsewhere in the United States or returning to IndyCar are all possible, but none has been announced.

Despite rejecting another season, Herta stressed that his difficult experience had increased rather than diminished his respect for F2.

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

Colton Herta says his difficult season has increased his respect for the F2 field (Photo: F2)

Herta also intends to follow the introduction of Formula 2’s new car in 2027, despite having no desire to race it.

“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,” he added.

Formula 2 returns in Baku from September 24-26 for the next round of the 2026 season.

FAQ

Will Colton Herta race in Formula 2 in 2027?

Herta says he has no interest in completing another F2 season, although he has not yet announced where he will race in 2027.

Does Colton Herta have an F1 Super Licence?

No. Herta remains short of the 40 points required to obtain an FIA Super Licence and become eligible to race in Formula 1.

Could Colton Herta return to IndyCar?

An IndyCar return is possible, but Herta has not confirmed negotiations or an agreement with any team for 2027.