IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward has publicly stated his conviction that Colton Herta’s recent move to Formula 2, coupled with a test driver role for the aspiring Cadillac Formula 1 Team, strongly indicates a confirmed Formula 1 seat for the American in 2027. Herta’s strategic shift to Europe’s premier feeder series and an F1 development position is widely interpreted as a deliberate effort to accumulate the necessary superlicence points and acclimate to the F1 environment in preparation for a potential Grand Prix debut.

O’Ward, a prominent competitor in the NTT IndyCar Series and a McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver himself, expressed his views to RACER, highlighting Herta’s established prowess. "He’s very talented," O’Ward stated. "He’s been a great competitor in IndyCar, and I wish him the best. I think I’d be shocked to not see him in a Formula 1 [seat] in 2027. I don’t think he’d be doing this switch if that wasn’t on the table for him."

The Mexican driver underscored the significance of Herta’s representation for American open-wheel racing. "So I’m super excited for him, and I really want him to do well, because he’s going to be our IndyCar representation," O’Ward added. "I think he doesn’t just have himself on board. I think he’s definitely got a lot of guys that are pushing for him to do well outside of just being in Formula 2 next year. We want him to make it to Formula 1, and we want him to do well."

O’Ward also acknowledged the substantial challenges Herta faces in transitioning to F2 machinery. "The task is tall. The tires are very different. The car is much worse than an Indy car, so he’s definitely downgrading in terms of car capabilities and car feeling," he explained. This technical adjustment period is often cited as a critical hurdle for drivers moving between different racing philosophies. "Like I said, I’d be shocked to know that he’s doing this just to do it. I definitely know… Well, I don’t know, but I really hope this is the case, that he’s doing it because he has a Formula 1 seat, because otherwise he will really miss IndyCar. I know he will."

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Colton Herta, at 23 years old, has established himself as one of IndyCar’s most dynamic talents since his debut in 2019. Driving primarily for Andretti Autosport, Herta became the youngest race winner in IndyCar history at the Circuit of the Americas in his third start, at the age of 18 years, 11 months, and 25 days. His career statistics include seven race victories and multiple pole positions across 79 starts. While he has consistently contended for race wins, a championship title has so far eluded him, with his best season finishes being third in 2020 and fifth in 2021. His aggressive driving style and natural speed have frequently drawn comparisons to past F1 stars, making him a compelling candidate for a future Grand Prix role.

Herta’s aspirations for Formula 1 are not new. In 2022, he was a key figure in discussions regarding a potential move to AlphaTauri (now RB Formula 1 Team). However, these negotiations ultimately faltered due to his insufficient superlicence points at the time. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) requires drivers to accumulate 40 superlicence points from eligible championships over a three-year period to qualify for an F1 entry. IndyCar provides points, but the weighting has historically been a point of contention, often requiring a driver to finish exceptionally high in the championship standings to meet the threshold. Herta’s current move to F2 directly addresses this superlicence requirement, offering a more direct and recognized pathway to the necessary points.

Herta’s commitment involves a full season with Hitech Grand Prix in the Formula 2 Championship. F2 serves as the primary feeder series to Formula 1, utilizing spec chassis (Dallara), engines (Mecachrome V6 turbo), and Pirelli tyres, which are designed to mimic F1 characteristics more closely than IndyCar’s Firestone tyres and diverse chassis configurations. A strong performance in F2 is a direct route to accumulating superlicence points, with the champion earning 40 points, the runner-up 30, and points decreasing down the standings. Finishing within the top three positions in F2 would guarantee the necessary points for an F1 superlicence. Hitech Grand Prix, based in Silverstone, United Kingdom, has been a consistent presence in F2 since 2020, fielding competitive cars and nurturing talent. While they have yet to win a team or driver championship, they have secured race victories and podium finishes, providing a credible platform for drivers aiming for F1.

Crucially, Herta’s F2 drive is paired with a test driver role for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. This entity represents the General Motors brand’s ambitious bid to enter Formula 1, most notably through a partnership with Andretti Global, seeking to become the eleventh team on the grid. While the FIA approved the Andretti-Cadillac entry in October 2023, Formula One Management (FOM) subsequently rejected their bid for 2026, leaving their future entry status pending for 2027. The association with Cadillac F1 Team positions Herta directly within the orbit of a future American-backed F1 project, providing a potential home should their entry be confirmed.

Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac F1 Team, elaborated on the strategic rationale behind Herta’s decision in an interview with Sky Sports F1. Towriss emphasized the inherent risks involved, stating, "For Colton, this has always been a dream of his, to drive in F1, but to do that, this is the path he had to take." He continued, "He has to take a huge risk, a huge amount of risk — no seat is guaranteed. This is F1, so he wants to learn tracks and tyres and show that respect to European open-wheel racing." This period of immersion is designed to bridge the gap between IndyCar’s unique demands and F1’s specialized requirements, including complex tyre management and unfamiliar European circuits.

Towriss also addressed the historical perception of American drivers attempting to cross over to F1. "The entitlement model from the US hasn’t worked out that well in the past, so we really want to build that body of work, the knowledge that’s necessary, to see if he has what it takes to drive in Formula 1." This statement reflects a conscious effort to demonstrate Herta’s commitment and adaptability, rather than relying solely on his IndyCar reputation or a perceived automatic right to an F1 seat due to nationality. The emphasis is on proving his capabilities within the European single-seater ladder system.

Despite the challenges, Towriss reiterated his confidence in Herta’s abilities. "He really is a special talent," Towriss affirmed. "I think a lot of people look at some of the results in IndyCar and say, ‘Well, he hasn’t won a championship, he’s not with [multiple champion] Alex Palou’." Towriss took some responsibility for Herta’s past championship shortcomings, citing "times where there have been troubles on pitlane or strategy didn’t work out." He maintained that "Colton’s an immense talent and he really can find speed where others can’t," highlighting his raw pace and ability to extract performance from the car.

Herta’s potential in Formula 1 has also been validated through various F1 test opportunities. He has participated in private tests with McLaren, driving their F1 car, and has also spent time in the simulators for Alpine, Red Bull, and Sauber. These experiences, according to Towriss, indicate that Herta "really has excelled and shown really high potential and promise for an F1 seat." This direct exposure to F1 machinery and team environments provides a crucial foundation for his European venture, demonstrating his aptitude for the distinct demands of Grand Prix racing.

The prospect of Colton Herta entering Formula 1 holds significant weight for American motorsport. The United States has had limited representation on the F1 grid in recent decades. Alexander Rossi competed in five Grands Prix for Marussia in 2015 before returning to a highly successful IndyCar career, including an Indianapolis 500 victory. More recently, Logan Sargeant made his F1 debut with Williams in 2023, becoming the first American full-time F1 driver since 1993. Herta’s potential inclusion would further bolster American presence in the pinnacle of motorsport, aligning with F1’s surging popularity in the U.S. market, fueled by events like the Miami Grand Prix and Las Vegas Grand Prix. The 2027 timeline for a potential F1 seat for Herta coincides with the earliest possible entry for the Andretti-Cadillac team, assuming their bid is ultimately approved. This alignment suggests a strategic long-term plan to integrate Herta into an American-backed F1 outfit, providing a clear trajectory for his career.

Towriss concluded by encapsulating the high-stakes nature of Herta’s career pivot. "Now this is the chance to do it. He’s had to choose this path of taking a big risk to not have that guarantee of the seat. He’s leaving behind what at this point is very comfortable for him, to choose something that’s uncomfortable for him — but no risk, no reward, as they say." Herta’s move represents a calculated gamble, trading the established comfort and competitive environment of IndyCar for the rigorous demands of the F2 championship and the uncertainty of an F1 future. However, the backing of Cadillac F1 Team and the explicit belief from peers like Pato O’Ward suggest that this transition is not merely an exploratory venture but a targeted progression towards a specific Formula 1 objective in 2027. His performance in F2 will be closely monitored as a key indicator of his readiness for the sport’s highest echelon.

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Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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