Colton Herta Quits IndyCar for F2 in Pursuit of Cadillac F1 Dream

The Big Picture: Colton Herta is making a bold career shift, leaving IndyCar to compete in Formula 2 from 2026. This move is a direct pursuit of his Formula 1 dream with Cadillac, aiming to secure the crucial FIA Super Licence points. Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss acknowledged this as a significant "risk" for the nine-time IndyCar race winner.

Why it matters: Herta has consistently faced the Super Licence barrier, preventing his F1 entry despite previous links to Sauber and Red Bull's junior team. By dedicating himself to F2, the primary F1 feeder series, he embraces an "unconventional path" to directly earn the necessary qualifications for a potential Cadillac F1 seat.

The details:

• Super Licence Gap: Herta's IndyCar results (10th in 2022-23, 2nd in 2024, 7th in 2025) have yielded 32 points over three seasons, falling short of the required 40.
• F2 Advantage: F2 offers a clearer path:
  • Top 3 finishers earn 40 points.
  • Fourth place earns 30 points.
• Herta's Path Forward: With 34 points from 2024-25 IndyCar seasons, he needs just 6 points from F2 in 2026. Finishing eighth in F2 (which awards 6 points) would secure his Super Licence.
• Challenges: Herta must adapt to new tracks and different tire characteristics, a major change from IndyCar.
• Contingency: Cadillac F1 could utilize Herta in FP1 sessions during their 2026 debut, earning one Super Licence point per 100km (up to 10 sessions).

What's next: All eyes will be on Herta's F2 performance in 2026, as his success is pivotal for his F1 future with Cadillac and 2027 eligibility. His commitment exemplifies the demanding journey for F1 hopefuls.