After seven successful years in Indycar, Colton Herta will make his Formula 2 debut in Melbourne this weekend, making the switch back to European racing.
Shortly after Cadillac announced their arrival to the Formula 1 grid, it was confirmed that Herta would be fulfilling the test driver role. Falling short of the points needed to secure an FIA Super Licence for 2026, the American driver decided to leave Indycar in hopes to obtain enough points to be eligible for a spot in Formula 1 in the near future.
“I mean, the training is fairly similar. You know, if you look at both the car power steering power and downforce, which are relatively similar enough. So that’s all kind of the same. If anything, it’s just going to be quite easier just because of the races are, the sprint races are less than half and then even the future races are half of what I’m used to. So it’s going to be, that’s probably going to be the weird part is the race is being over so quick. But yeah, I don’t think it’s too different.”
Due to his experience and success in Indycar, Herta expressed the transition was going well. Scoring nine victories, 19 podium finishes and 16 pole positions since his debut in late-2018, he will bring extensive knowledge and experience to Hitech Grand Prix. However, there are some differences between the series.
“Yeah, a little bit different than Rafa. I think how you find lap time in the F2 cars, almost a complete 180 to the IndyCar and how you drive it. So I think there’s been a big kind of transition for me. And driving style is quite different, so still not, I would say, like 100% confident, but after you know those six days of Abu Dhabi and Barcelona I definitely feel closer and and kind of starting to be a bit more confident with the car and what I should be doing. So yeah I mean obviously we’re always trying to find a lot of fun make ourselves better, but. I think those big chunks that I was finding earlier on in testing are kind of gone, and now it’s kind of to the refined point.”
Whilst Herta brings in that vital racing experience, he joins fellow rookie Rafael Câmara in learning how to handle a new car, and testing the limits. Many eyes will be set on the two drivers, comparing the adaptability between the 2026 Formula 3 champion, and an Indycar race winner.
“I think it’s slightly impressive, obviously, like what Rafa’s done. But a lot of these guys are, they’re so young, but so talented and make mistakes. And really just the raw speed is probably the most impressive thing. I don’t really know Rafa personally, but I’ve seen what he’s done, obviously, in the past in Formula 3 and whatnot, and how impressive he’s been with that. And I’ve seen what he’s been able to do in the F2 car too. So Yeah, I think the speed, the track knowledge, those sort of things. Obviously, you said what I can pick up on, you know, he’s not going to be helping me. So I don’t think I’ll be able to pick up on much compared to him. But, you know, I think that’s kind of seems like where his expertise is from the outside.”
With a lot of noise around Cadillac joining Formula 1 and Herta stepping into Formula 2, expectations are high. With every driver hoping to make it to Formula 1, he will need to impress and put in some strong performances throughout the season, as well as working away from F2, providing vital insight to Cadillac through his test driver role.
“Yeah, I mean, the goal for me every time I get in the race car is very simple. To be quicker than everybody. So, you know, we’ve seen what they’ve kind of set in the goals that they’re kind of expecting of me. But personally, you know, it’s kind of it’s always worked in my careers that I expect myself to be good. I expect myself to be quick and and contend for wins and podiums. And that’s always my goal when I get inside the race car. So, you know, for me, nothing’s changed, but that’s kind of what drives me. That’s what gets the work ethic going and and that’s what I need to do.”
“I mean, for me, it’s simple, like the pressure comes from myself for the most part, pressure to perform. not really worried too much about the outside world or, you know, competitors and whatnot. ”
The Formula 2 car is not the only new experience for the American driver. Whilst other rookies have experience racing on featured tracks, Herta has spent seven years racing exclusively in North America. The series contains oval tracks which he will be leaving behind, as well as new tyre compounds, new countries and a new team.
When asked about working with Ritomo Miyata, his team mate for 2026, Herta said:
“I mean, it’s been great so far. He’s going to be, I think, pivotal in my year and my growth and my production throughout the year. I kind of touched on limited practice time and needing to be ready when you get in the car. But having a guy like that on race weekend, that’s kind of been through the ringer. He’s going on his third season. So he knows the technique. He knows what to expect on race weekends. And he’s definitely going to be a good guy to kind of look at the data with and go over and see what he has to say about the car and the track and the tires and what he expects. So there’s a whole bank of knowledge there to tap into from me.”
“You know, I think it’s cool to be racing in a new country for me. Never raced here in Australia, so that’s a new one and exciting one. I’ve been watching this race on TV for a long time. It’s cool to be a part of it. Overall, it seems like a street circuit that kind of supplies really good racing. I think it’s got great potential for an exciting race. The forecast is always unclear. So as a race fan, that makes it actually don’t know what you’re going to get each year. But like I said, to start off with, like the most important bit is you can overtake. And you know, that’s what people want to see. That’s what drivers want to see.”
With exciting stories up and down the grid, Herta will be amongst those fighting to stand out throughout the season. You can catch the first Formula 2 race weekend of the year from today, with practice beginning at 10:00 (GMT+11).
Photo by James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
