Motor racing-Cadillac boss confirms Herta will be in F2 next year

Reuters

Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.

Dan Towriss, CEO of Formula One's newest team backed by General Motors, told the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast that 25-year-old Herta is leaving IndyCar to chase his Formula One ambitions.

Formula Two, the main feeder series for F1, offers Herta the opportunity to earn the super-licence points required to step up to the pinnacle of motorsport. However, the series remains a junior category, unlike IndyCar, where marquee events such as the Indianapolis 500 are considered among the world’s most prestigious races. Herta will be leaving a top-tier seat for an uncertain path.

“We’ve been fortunate to keep Colton at Andretti in the IndyCar team, and now he’s going to pursue his dream in Formula One,” Towriss said. “To do that, he’s taking a significant risk. He’s leaving IndyCar, he’s not going directly to Formula One. There’s a test and development driver role, and he’ll be racing in F2. He needs to learn new tracks, adapt to tyres… I couldn’t be prouder of Colton for taking that leap to chase his dream.”

Cadillac confirmed Herta’s new role in a statement on Wednesday. The team has already signed F1 veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for next season.

F1 drivers at Monza, ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, noted that Herta is already well-prepared to compete at their level.

“IndyCar is one of the toughest series in the world,” said McLaren’s Lando Norris, who himself progressed through F2. “It’s an incredibly challenging car to drive, and the overall level of competition is extremely high.”

Norris also suggested that IndyCar drivers should receive more super-licence points for their championship results, reflecting the series’ difficulty and competitiveness.

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