Colton Herta rules out second F2 season as F1 hopes fade

Colton Herta has ruled out a second season in Formula 2, declaring he will not return to the category next year as his hopes of landing an F1 seat continue to fade. The 24-year-old American moved to Europe this year with Hitech while also serving as a development driver for Cadillac's new F1 team, but a difficult campaign has left him 19th in the drivers' championship with three rounds remaining.

Why it matters:

Cadillac has made no secret of its desire to field an American driver, with Herta viewed as a natural candidate. But his struggles in F2 have raised questions about whether he deserves a promotion, fueling speculation that he could return to the United States for the 2027 IndyCar season.

The details:

• Herta told F1 Insider: "I think we'll have to wait and see. But I have no interest in another year of Formula 2."
• The nine-time IndyCar race winner scored points in a handful of early races but has managed just one scoring finish in the last 13 rounds.
• His season hit a new low in Madrid last time out, when a qualifying crash ruled him out of both races that weekend.
• Despite the disappointment, Herta insists he will remain a devoted F2 fan once he moves on.
  • "I'll definitely watch it; I'll always enjoy following Formula 2 as a racing series," he said.
  • "I have great respect for the drivers who compete here because I know what they're capable of."

What's next:

Herta's immediate future remains uncertain, but he appears determined to avoid another year in the junior category. Whether that means a return to IndyCar or a continued push toward F1 through an alternative route will likely become clearer once the season concludes.