Who is Cadillac’s F2 star Colton Herta?

This year’s Formula 2 grid will feature Cadillac’s Colton Herta, who will fight alongside in an effort to earn a Formula 1 seat for 2027.

Unlike the rest of the grid, Herta makes the move to F2 from IndyCar after seven years in America’s elite single-seater. He leaves the competition with nine wins and 20 podiums in 116 starts. In 2025, Herta finished seventh in the drivers’ championship with Andretti Global.

Mario Andretti, former Formula 1 world champion, played a crucial role in Cadillac’s F1 entry. This leads many to believe Herta will be a Cadillac driver sooner, rather than later.

Herta’s journey through motorsport

As he leaves Andretti Global – well, only in premise, his ties with Andretti will likely continue past this season – Herta holds the record for the youngest driver in history to win an IndyCar series race. But it was a long journey to get there.

Colton Herta began competitive karting at the age of 10, but had been amateur racing since he was six years old – likely thanks to his IndyCar race-winning father, Bryan Herta.

In his single-seater debut, at the age of 13, Herta finished second in the SBF2ooo Winter Series. This set him up for his professional racing debut in Mazda’s Cooper Tires competition, just before his formula racing debut in 15.

The now 25-year-old first raced in a formula series in 2015. He was the sole American driver on the MSA Formula grid, but managed to pick up three victories and help the United States win the Nations Cup.

As time went on, he continued to pick up regular wins in European competitions. Herta took part in six British F3 (now known as GB3) events and earned three podium finishes, including a win at Brands Hatch. Then it was time for a return to America.

In 2017 and 2018, Herta competed in the IndyLights series – IndyCar’s version of Formula 2. It was an impressive first year with a third-place Championship finish and three podiums, while his second was even better. His second IndyLights season saw Herta win four races and finish second in the Championship behind his Andretti teammate and McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward.

An illustrious Indy career

Despite his move to F2 for 2026, Herta was considered highly regarded in IndyCar. His only year without Andretti backing was his first, but he still managed a seventh-place finish in the Championship, just five points behind the Rookie of the Year, Felix Rosenquist.

Two wins in your first season in any competition is a mean feat, never mind in IndyCar.

“Circuits he doesn’t know,” said IndyCar commentator Will Buxton on X. “A tyre that takes a huge amount of understanding. A style of racing he isn’t used to. And a field that shouldn’t be underestimated. I respect his drive, ambition and the massive risk he’s taking.

“Despite his talent and experience it’s a huge challenge.”

Ritomo Moyata will partner Herta at Hitech TGR for the 2026 F2 season. Alex Dunne will provide the biggest challenge at Rodin Motorsport, although his Red Bull contract issues leave him needing another impressive year. Can the Irishman handle the pressure?

Mari Boya of Aston Martin’s driver academy, but he could take time to adapt to life in F2, like Herta, following an impressive spell in Formula.

Is it really a “massive risk”?

It could be a “massive risk” for Herta, but he seems prepared for the challenge. “At first, when it was brought up,” Herta said, “I was like – ‘No, I’m a professional racing driver. I don’t want to go into a junior category at 25 years old.’

“Then I talked about it with my dad, trying to see the positives. Once we talked it through, it was an easy decision to make.

“I’m not worried about what people think about this career path, if it’s positive or negative. That’s solely because this is what I want to do. I want to get to Formula 1. At this point, this is my best chance, and I’ve got to fight for it. I think that’s what this move is showing.”

On the other hand, a man of his experience should have the racing know-how to impress in the junior category. His work with the Cadillac F1 team could also benefit him – Herta needs as much time as possible in Formula cars to adapt to the new racing style, especially if he is to step up to F1 in 2027.

Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon said: “I think we can forget everything that we’ve learned since go-karts on how to go fast.”

This could be music to the ears of Herta, as it could make his European transition easier, but his year in F2 could set him back if he doesn’t complete regular miles in the F1 car.

Herta will be aiming to replace Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez in 2027, but both are understood to have contracts in place until the end of 2027. He will need an impressive year to overtake the experienced duo.

Only time will tell if he’s made the right decision.