INDIANAPOLIS — Colton Herta finds himself in a familiar position at the onset of another IndyCar season — fielding inquiries about his potential transition to Formula 1.
Rather than diving into that conversation, he is opting to concentrate on the current season and his goals within IndyCar.
The 24-year-old Californian expressed that while the allure of racing on a global stage is enticing, his primary focus lies in securing a successful result for the 2025 IndyCar season rather than the uncertainties surrounding a move to Europe.
“I’ve been subjected to these speculations for what feels like half a decade now, and it’s been a heavy burden for quite some time. I’m just tired of hearing about it,” Herta remarked. “My main desire now is to drive and aim for the IndyCar championship. If an opportunity presents itself afterward, I will consider it at that time.”
Herta’s departure from the F1 conversation isn’t likely to be realized swiftly, especially with the recent announcement from the FIA regarding the addition of Cadillac F1 as the 11th team to the Formula 1 roster starting in 2026.
Herta has always been a prominent name associated with this endeavor. However, the reins are no longer in the hands of Michael Andretti, the experienced IndyCar team owner who initially advocated for an American F1 team. Andretti stepped away from his bid in September, allowing majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter to take charge of the motorsport initiative.
Towriss, serving as the CEO and president of Group 1001, made his entrance into motorsports when his financial service platform, Gainbridge, began sponsoring Andretti’s IndyCar team. He has since become a significant figure in the motorsports arena, with stakes in both Spire Motorsports’ NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing’s sports car team.
Interestingly, Gainbridge also serves as the primary sponsor for Herta’s No. 26 Honda.
For Herta to qualify for a spot in F1, he must first secure an FIA super license, which is contingent upon accumulating points over a driver’s recent three seasons.
Will he be able to earn the requisite points after this season? It’s a possibility.
“I honestly don’t even know how the super license points tally works,” Herta admitted. “So if it happens, great! I’ll have a tough choice to make, provided there’s interest in me. But if it doesn’t pan out, I’m still happy to race in IndyCar.”
Winning the IndyCar championship would undoubtedly earn him a super license, and after six full seasons and 99 career races in IndyCar, Herta is well-positioned for such a leap.
Last season saw him achieve six top-five finishes alongside two wins in the closing seven races, indicating his strong competitiveness across various track types, culminating in a second-place finish in the final standings. Herta fell short of champion Alex Palou by a mere 31 points, with Palou having claimed three of the last four titles.
Herta believes that with a bit more luck — avoiding crashes in Indianapolis and Detroit, or a tire issue in Milwaukee — he could very well have clinched that elusive championship.
“I’m quite dissatisfied. It stings to finish second,” Herta expressed. “While it’s nice to have my best finish, being so close and not achieving it is frustrating.”
Palou, on the other side, is not relinquishing his dominance. Having navigated some distractions related to contract negotiations and his own potential F1 aspirations, he embarks on this season aimed at achieving a three-peat.
“It will require immense effort; the competition is fierce,” the Spaniard remarked. “You’re battling against numerous teams. We focused a lot on short ovals. It should be exciting. Winning the last championship with only two victories highlights just how challenging it is.”
The competition is set to intensify with Herta aiming for his first title in the series while potentially eyeing a drive in F1 — a matter he’d prefer to sidestep for now.
“It’s not a guarantee,” Herta noted. “All my friends and family are based here in the U.S., and I’m not familiar with anyone abroad. So, it’s a significant decision to contemplate when the time comes.”
