Colton Herta’s F2 Gamble: American Driver Makes Risky Move to Chase F1 Dream

Let’s be honest here—when was the last time you saw a successful IndyCar driver voluntarily step down to what’s essentially motorsport’s minor leagues? That’s exactly what Colton Herta is doing, and frankly, it’s either brilliant or completely insane.

The 25-year-old Californian, fresh off a runner-up finish in the 2024 IndyCar championship, has decided to trade his comfortable seat at Andretti Autosport for the uncertainty of Formula 2. Why? Because apparently, nine IndyCar wins and regular battles against former F1 drivers like Marcus Ericsson and Romain Grosjean aren’t enough to convince the FIA that he’s worthy of a Super License.

The Super License Saga That Won’t Die

Here’s where things get ridiculous. Herta currently sits at 35 Super License points—just five shy of the 40 needed to race in Formula 1. You’d think beating seasoned F1 veterans regularly would count for something, but apparently, the FIA’s bureaucratic point system knows better.

This isn’t Herta’s first rodeo with Super License drama. Back in 2022, Red Bull actually applied for an exemption to get him into F1, only to be shot down faster than a paper airplane in a hurricane. Now, instead of enjoying the prestige of competing in the Indianapolis 500, Herta will be learning new tracks and fighting for scraps in F2.

Dan Towriss Spills the Beans

Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss didn’t mince words when he confirmed the move on the “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi” podcast. “He’s leaving IndyCar, he’s not going directly to Formula One,… There is a test and development driver role, and he’s going to be going into F2.”

The executive seemed genuinely proud of Herta’s willingness to take such a massive risk, which is corporate speak for “this kid is either incredibly brave or slightly unhinged.” Towriss added that Herta would need to learn new tracks and tires, as if the guy hasn’t been successfully navigating some of the most challenging circuits in motorsport for the past seven years.

The Math Doesn’t Add Up (But Somehow It Has To)

Let’s break down this mathematical nightmare. Herta needs to finish at least eighth in F2 to guarantee his Super License—eighth! This is a driver who finished second in one of the world’s most competitive racing series, and now he has to prove himself against drivers who, let’s face it, mostly couldn’t cut it in their own junior careers.

The truly maddening part? If Herta finishes 10th in F2 but drives in enough F1 practice sessions, he can still get his license. So basically, the system is designed to make talented drivers jump through hoops like trained circus animals while simultaneously offering backdoor solutions that make the whole exercise pointless.

The Cadillac Connection Changes Everything

Of course, none of this would be happening without Cadillac’s entry into F1. The General Motors-backed team has already signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026, but everyone knows Herta is the long-term American project they’re really betting on.

It’s a smart business move, honestly. Having an American driver in an American-backed team when F1 is desperately trying to crack the U.S. market? That’s marketing gold. But the path to get there is so convoluted that it makes tax law look straightforward.

The Bigger Picture Problem

Here’s a driver who has proven himself at the highest level of American open-wheel racing, regularly outperforming former F1 drivers, and the system still makes him prove himself in what is essentially a feeder series. Herta’s move to F2 might work out perfectly. He could dominate the series, get his Super License, and be racing for Cadillac in 2027.