Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Colton Herta

  • Hitech TGR confirm Colton Herta

    Hitech TGR have confirmed that Colton Herta will be racing for the team in the 2026 season.

    Herta joins the grid after seven full seasons in IndyCar where he achieved 19 podium finishes, which included nine victories as well as 16 pole positions and a best result of second overall in the 2024 season.

    Prior to that, the Cadillac F1 Team Test driver, finished third in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship and the 2016 Euroformula Open Championship.

    In addition to that, Herta also ended up second in the 2016 Spanish Formula 3 Championship. The American driver now returns to racing in Europe with Hitech and he is excited to get going in 2026.

    I’m incredibly excited to be joining Hitech for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season. This is a big shift in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve loved my time in IndyCar and I’m proud of everything I achieved, but the opportunity to race in F2 – to compete on the Formula 1 calendar, against some of the best young drivers in the world – was one I couldn’t pass up. I’ve always worked to keep the door to F1 open, and this move is part of that ultimate ambition. I know it won’t be easy – learning the car, the tyres, the tracks – but I’m approaching this with determination, focus, and a lot of motivation. My goal is to compete at the front, continue developing as a driver, and put myself in the best possible position for a future in Formula 1. Hitech has an excellent reputation and a proven track record, and I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to develop and perform. I want to thank them for believing in me and providing the platform to make this step.
    Herta on the news.

    We’re delighted to welcome Colton to the team for the 2026 Formula 2 season. He already brings a level of experience, professionalism, and talent that we’re typically used to nurturing in drivers as they progress through the junior categories. This is an exciting step for Colton, but also a challenging one. He’s stepping into a new racing environment that has very different formats, with high expectations, and a clear goal of progressing to F1. But his determination and commitment are impressive and we’re delighted to help maximise his potential during the 2026 season.
    Clive Hatton, Hitech TGR Team Manager.

  • Colton Herta signs as Cadillac Test Driver

    Hot on the heels of the announcement of their driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026, Cadillac have revealed that IndyCar racer Colton Herta will fulfil the role of test driver at the team.

    American driver Herta, whose name had been spoken of in relation to a seat at Cadillac before the Bottas/Perez line-up announcement came on August 26th, was the youngest ever IndyCar winner back in 2019, and has nice victories and 16 pole positions to his name from his 116 career starts in the series.

    Herta has previous F1 experience, having tested a 2021 spec McLaren MCL35M at Portimao back in 2022.

    Meanwhile, the move will mark a return to European racing for Herta, who competed on the continent from 2015 – 16, including time as Lando Norris’ team mate in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship, before returning stateside.

    This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working towards for a long time. To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team.
    Herta on the news.

    Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years. His experience in top-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him an ideal fit for this role, and he will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future. Having an American driver join an American Formula 1 team is a hugely significant moment, not only for our team, but for American motorsport as a whole. Colton represents the passion, ambition, and competitive spirit that define the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and we are proud to have him carry the American flag with us on the world stage.
    Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s Team Principal.

  • Herta to Alpha Tauri?

    Silly Season is still going on as Red Bull are now eyeing up IndyCar driver, Colton Herta to replace Pierre Gasly at Alpha Tauri for 2023.

    Red Bull are wanting to sign Herta to replace Gasly, and could possibly confirm a deal before this weekends Italian GP.

    Gasly, who has been part of the Red Bull stable since his F1 debut, five years ago is Alpine’s preferred candidate to fill the vacant seat left by Fernando Alonso, which Oscar Piastri turned down to join McLaren.

    Herta, the talented 22 year old American, has emerged as the front runner but he would require an exemption from F1’s governing body to be able to compete.

    Astonishingly enough, all of the parties and teams involved, we found an agreement. First we have to get a definite answer [from the FIA] and I think it should be by Monza.

    Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko.

    To obtain a superlicense to compete in F1, drivers need to accumulate 40 points. But despite strong performances in IndyCar with seven race wins, Herta is currently eight points short as the American series, which isn’t governed by the FIA and does not rate highly in the licensing system.

    Red Bull are hopefuly of getting a dispensation, whilst McLaren boss Zak Brown has also backed getting Herta into F1. Herta tested for McLaren in July this year and is highly rated by the team.

  • Herta to test for McLaren

    Herta to test for McLaren

    IndyCar driver, Colton Herta will be testing for McLaren this season in the teams 2021 car.

    American racer, Colton has taken six wins- his 2019 victory at Circuit of The Americas making him the series’ youngest ever winner. He also has seven pole positions in IndyCar to date.

    This opportunity comes for Herta, as the new Formula 1 regulations state that teams are allowed to test cars that are one year old, which allows them to evaluate young talent for the future.

    As a result of this Herta will test the 2021 McLaren, MCL35M. McLaren will confirm further details of its Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme in due course.

    “Colton is a proven talent in IndyCar and we will be interested to see how he adapts to a Formula 1 car,” said McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl. “We believe this testing programme will provide him with valuable experience while demonstrating the benefit of expanding previous car testing to showcase promising drivers for the future.”

    Herta added: “I want to thank McLaren for the opportunity to get my first laps in a Formula 1 car, which has always been on my racing bucket list. This will be a great opportunity for me to gain some valuable experience in a new form of motorsport and learn from such an established team like McLaren.”

    My Opinion-

    Herta looks like he could be entering the sport in a few years time, so this gives him the experience in an F1 car which he currently lacks and show McLaren what he is made of. As well as this McLaren could keep him in my mind for in a few years time depending on how he does in the test.

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