Formula 1 has gained another surprising chapter in the Cadillac project. After announcing Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as starters for their debut on the grid in 2026, the team confirmed that Colton Herta will leave Indy to run in Formula 2 next season, in search of credentials to compete in the top category of motorsport.
The announcement was made by Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, the group responsible for operating the Cadillac F1 Team. Herta had already been announced as a test and development driver for the team, but now his participation in F2 from next year has been confirmed, in a move that represents a radical change in his career.
“Now he’s going to pursue the dream of getting to Formula 1, and to do that, he’s taking a huge risk. He’s going to leave IndyCar. He’s not going straight to F1, he’ll have a test and development role, but he’ll also be racing in Formula 2,” Towriss said in an interview with the F2 Off-Track podcast.
According to the executive, the goal is to accelerate Herta’s adaptation to the F1 universe. “He’s going to learn the tracks, he’s going to learn the tires. Tires are a very important part of this, and very different from IndyCar in that aspect. I’m very proud of Colton for being willing to take this risk to pursue his dream,” Towriss added.
The 25-year-old American is one of the most talented names in Indy, with nine wins achieved by Andretti. Even so, he failed to score enough points in the FIA rankings to obtain the Super License required to compete in F1. The passage through Formula 2 in 2026 has precisely the purpose of accumulating that score, in addition to providing experience on circuits that are also part of the Formula 1 calendar and deepening his knowledge with Pirelli’s compounds.
The confirmation puts Herta in an unprecedented scenario: an Indy driver willing to “take a step back” in the hierarchy of categories, to increase his chances of reaching Formula 1 in the medium term. Although it is not yet defined which F2 team he will drive for, the move is seen as strategic by Cadillac, which intends to build a solid foundation for its future within the category.
With this, the American manufacturer reinforces its long-term intention in international motorsport, at the same time offering Herta the opportunity to tread a different path than those that traditionally lead to F1.
“Having the chance to learn the nuances of the car, the tires, and the tracks, even before taking on a cockpit full-time in Formula 1, is something that can be decisive for his future,” Towriss highlighted.
The challenge now will be adaptation. Formula 2 is recognized for its high level of competitiveness and for serving as a showcase for talents that aspire to reach F1. For Herta, it will be the chance to prove his ability outside the Indy environment and, finally, conquer the space that he and Cadillac aspire to in the largest stage of world motorsport.
