Colton Herta isn’t just busy. He’s rewriting what it means to chase a dream in motorsport. The California native made headlines when he signed with Cadillac F1 as a test driver, but that’s only part of the story. Herta’s leaving IndyCar behind to compete in Formula 2 with Hitech TGR in 2026, stepping into what many consider the final proving ground before Formula 1.

And if that weren’t enough, he’s confirmed for the endurance rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing. This is the kind of schedule that would break most drivers. For Herta, it’s the price of admission to F1.

Why Herta Is Betting Everything on F2

Formula 2 is where young drivers either prove they belong in F1 or watch their dreams fade. It’s unforgiving, competitive, and brutally transparent. Every weekend is scrutinized by team principals, sponsors, and fans who know exactly what it takes to succeed at the next level.

Herta’s move to F2 is bold, maybe even risky. He’s walked away from a successful IndyCar career with Andretti, where he’s racked up multiple wins and established himself as one of the series’ brightest stars. But IndyCar success doesn’t always translate to F1 opportunities, and Herta knows it.

By joining Hitech TGR, he’s putting himself directly in front of the people who matter. Every race, every qualifying session, every on-track battle will be measured against drivers who are already eyeing the same F1 seats. Hitech’s current driver, Luke Browning, is in the thick of the 2025 championship fight. That’s the standard Herta will need to meet, and likely exceed, to make his F1 case undeniable.

IMSA: Keeping His Skills Sharp

While F2 will be Herta’s main focus, his IMSA commitments with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing show he’s not abandoning what he knows. He’ll compete in three of the championship’s most grueling events: the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans.

These aren’t just races. They’re marathons that test endurance, strategy, and mental fortitude in ways that sprint formats never could. Herta already knows what winning at Sebring feels like. He, Jordan Taylor, and Louis Delétraz took the checkered flag there in 2024. Now, he’ll reunite with that same lineup to chase more victories in Cadillac’s V-Series R GTP.

“Super excited to join Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing for the endurance rounds this year,” Herta said. “We had some success last time I was with the team, and I hope to continue that. Jordan and Louis are some of the best drivers in the business, and it’s a pleasure to join them on this adventure.”

For Herta, IMSA isn’t a distraction from his F1 goals. It’s preparation. The discipline required to maintain focus for 12 or 24 hours, the need to manage traffic and tire degradation, the pressure of strategic pit stops, all of it translates to F1 in ways that matter.

The Cadillac F1 Connection

Cadillac’s arrival in Formula 1 for 2026 is one of the biggest stories in motorsport. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will lead the charge as race drivers, but Herta’s role as test driver keeps him firmly in the picture. Test drivers don’t always get the credit they deserve.

They’re the ones logging simulator hours, providing feedback on setup changes, and helping the team understand how the car behaves in different conditions. For a new team like Cadillac, that role is critical. And for Herta, it’s an opportunity to prove he belongs in an F1 garage.

The connection between his F2, IMSA, and F1 work is deliberate. Cadillac wants to see him succeed, and they’re giving him every opportunity to do so. His IMSA endurance drives keep him sharp. His F2 campaign puts him on the global stage. His test driver role keeps him embedded in the F1 operation. It’s all part of the plan.

What’s at Stake

Herta is 25 years old. In motorsport terms, that’s not old, but it’s not young either. Drivers his age are either locked into F1 seats or running out of chances to get one. The window doesn’t stay open forever.

That’s what makes this gamble so significant. Herta could have stayed in IndyCar, continued winning races, and built a comfortable career as one of America’s top open-wheel drivers. Instead, he’s betting on himself in F2, where there are no guarantees and plenty of ways for things to go wrong.

But if it works? If Herta dominates in F2, shines in IMSA, and proves to Cadillac that he’s ready for the next step? Then everything changes. The American driver drought in Formula 1 ends. Cadillac gets a homegrown talent to build around. And Herta gets the seat he’s been chasing for years. No pressure, right?

Road to 2026

Herta’s 2026 schedule is punishing. He’ll bounce between F2 circuits across Europe, endurance races in the United States, and F1 simulator sessions with Cadillac. There won’t be much time to breathe, let alone reflect on what he’s accomplished.

But that’s exactly how he wants it. This is what it takes to make it to Formula 1 as an American driver in 2026. The path isn’t easy, and it never was. For Colton Herta, it’s just getting started.

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