Colton Herta said he would “1000 percent” jump at a chance of taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans if the opportunity comes up, amid expected vacancies in Action Express Racing’s Cadillac V-Series.R for the French endurance classic.
The Cadillac Formula 1 test driver, who is completing his first season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year, currently has an unclear future in open-wheel, amid rumors the second-generation driver could return to NTT IndyCar Series competition.
However, should Herta remain focused on securing the FIA Super License next year that’s required to race in F1, a Le Mans bid could be possible, with no F1 or F2 clashes with the French endurance classic.
Herta has been part of Wayne Taylor Racing’s endurance lineup in the No. 40 Cadillac this year.
“1000 percent,” he told Sportscar365 when asked if he’d like to contest Le Mans.
“I would love to do it with Cadillac. It’s a race that I’ve only ever watched on TV. I’ve never been to the track and never been to the race. My father’s done it a few times with Panoz back in the day.
“He’s always said good things about it. All the guys [at WTR], Filipe [Albuquerque], Ricky [Taylor], and Louis [Deletraz], they always say amazing things about the race and just how pure of a race it is.
“The state of IMSA but also in WEC, with how many manufacturers they have, as a driver you look at it, it looks so competitive and it looks so awesome to be a part of.
“You look at the driver lineups, the manufacturers, the teams… It’s such a high level.
“One-thousand percent, if I get the opportunity, I’m not saying no to it. Somebody else would have to say no!”
When asked if his Le Mans debut could come as early as next year, Herta said he’s not sure on where things currently stand.
Newly crowned IMSA GTP champion Jack Aitken, as well as Earl Bamber, are expected to again pull double duty between the WeatherTech Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship next year, with both then secured with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for the race.
It would leave at least two open seats in the Action Express entry, which gained an auto-invite for winning the IMSA GTP teams’ championship.
While Sportscar365 is aware of at least one driver, not currently part of the Cadillac factory lineup, likely already locked in, the second seat is believed to still be a topic of discussion.
The status of Frederik Vesti, who has served as the third driver in Action Express’ lineup, is also unclear at this time.
“To be honest, I don’t know that side of things, in terms of entries and who gets what and how that all works out,” said Herta.
“I think if anybody wants me there, I would definitely be there. It is a dream of mine to compete in it at some point.”
Herta Can “Definitely See” Full-Time Sports Car Shift Once Open-Wheel Career is Over
The 26-year-old admitted a full-time switch to sports car racing is not currently in his cards, as he wants to continue his pursuit in open-wheel.
“At some point in my career there will be a time where open-wheel will not be viable,” he said.
“I think we’ve seen that with a lot of guys where maybe their career in Formula 1 or IndyCar ends and they come and do WEC or IMSA, which I definitely would love to do.
“That’s how my dad’s career ended after doing IndyCar, he was with Andretti Green in the Acura P2 car.
“I can definitely see my career going that way. I would love to do IMSA full time at some point. I think it’s an amazing series, but it would have to be the right scenario with the right program.”
“It’s just not something that I’m really looking at right now.”
