Andretti International IndyCar star Colton Herta is within the highlight as new entrant Cadillac F1 gears as much as storm the grid in 2026.
With F1 legend Mario Andretti – a director of the Common Motors- affiliated outfit – naming Herta as a first-rate candidate for a seat with the US outfit, you’d suppose the Californian can be chomping on the bit to commerce Indy ovals for Monaco’s twists and turns.
And but Herta is pumping the brakes, torn between his IndyCar roots and the siren name of F1 glory.
Cadillac’s American Ace?
Cadillac’s F1 undertaking, owned and managed by TWG Motorsport, is all about planting the Stars and Stripes again in Formulation 1, the place no full-time American driver has raced since Scott Velocity in 2007.
Herta, with an abundance of pure potential and a trophy case that features being IndyCar’s youngest-ever winner in 2019, matches the invoice completely.
Mario Andretti has acquired his eye on the prize, and Herta is more likely to rack up sufficient superlicense factors by season’s finish to qualify for F1.
However right here’s the kicker: Herta’s not able to ditch his IndyCar crew simply but.
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“I’d be leaving a fantastic group of individuals I actually like working with, so it’s not a positive factor for me,” commented the 24-year-old, quoted by Motorsport.com.
“It’s not a simple determination, simply to be like, ‘Alright, see you guys later.’
“I’d be giving up a chance of possibly by no means working with these individuals once more.”
That’s no small potatoes for Herta who has been a power with Andretti International, and strolling away from a crew that’s acquired him in championship competition? That’s a gearshift he’s not speeding to make.
Chasing the IndyCar Crown
Herta’s acquired unfinished enterprise in IndyCar, and he’s not shy about it. After ending second to Alex Palou in 2024, he’s hungry – famished, even – for that high spot.
“It actually sucks to complete second,” he admitted, reflecting on final season. “As good as it’s for that being my highest place, it actually sucks to be that shut and never do it.”
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IndyCar’s St. Petersburg 2025 opener final weekend confirmed his grit – qualifying second behind Scott McLaughlin – however a sluggish pit cease despatched him spinning to sixteenth.
Nonetheless, his sights are locked on the prize: “You have to get that championship, and this yr is not any completely different. That’s what we’re working for.”
Dan Towriss, the massive boss at Andretti International and TWG Motorsport, is all in on Herta’s focus.
“I believe actually what that reveals you is how targeted he’s and the way current he’s in IndyCar, and so I like that,” Towriss mentioned.
“That’s precisely the reply that I’d need Colton to present me. We’re locked in on the targets for this yr.”
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Towriss is aware of Herta’s acquired the chops—in any case, just a few tweaks from final season, and that championship might’ve been his.
“He’s labored arduous within the offseason, the crew has had a fantastic offseason, and he desires it unhealthy,” Towriss added. F1? It’s barely a blip on Herta’s radar proper now.
On the finish of the day, positive, F1’s glitz is tempting, however strolling away from a shot at IndyCar immortality? That’s a chance even this velocity demon’s undecided he’s able to take.
So, will Herta stick with the ovals or chase the worldwide stage? For now, he’s retaining his foot on the IndyCar gasoline, eyes on the championship prize.
However with Cadillac’s engines revving within the distance, 2026 may very well be the yr America’s subsequent racing hero shifts gears – or stays proper the place he belongs. Buckle up—this story’s acquired loads of laps left to run!
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