Cadillac chief executive Dan Towriss has set expectations for Colton Herta's Formula 2 season as the American driver pursues a Formula 1 opportunity in 2027. Herta left IndyCar to join F2 and earn Super Licence points, while combining duties with endurance racing and Cadillac testing. Despite the unusual path, Herta remains focused on his F1 ambitions.
Colton Herta, a nine-time IndyCar winner, has transitioned from the NTT IndyCar Series to FIA Formula 2 in 2026 as part of Cadillac's Formula 1 development program. The move aims to secure the Super Licence points needed for F1 eligibility, requiring a top-eight finish in F2. Cadillac, entering F1 this year with drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, views Herta as a prime candidate for a 2027 seat to nurture American talent.
Dan Towriss, Cadillac's chief executive, shared his outlook in an interview with motorsport-total.com. "Overall, I expect Colton to finish in the top 10 in Formula 2," Towriss said. "His participation in the series is primarily about getting to know the tracks and tires better. This is part of his preparation for Formula 1. It won’t just be his Formula 2 performance that will be decisive. We’ll use all the project’s resources to assess Colton’s readiness for Formula 1."
Herta, now 25 and racing with Hitech TGR, acknowledged the unconventional step in a New York Times interview from a month prior. "It is a bizarre career path, I won’t deny that," he said. "I’m a professional racing driver. I didn’t want to go into a junior category at 25 years old. But once we talked it through, it was an easy decision. I want to get to Formula 1. At this point, this is my best chance, and I’ve got to fight for it."
Herta will balance F2 with endurance races for Wayne Taylor Racing and testing for Cadillac, gaining experience on Grand Prix circuits and Pirelli tires. He added, "I’m not worried about what people think about this career path. I’m not going into this with an ego. I’m kind of relearning how to ride a bike a little."
Meanwhile, Herta's schedule leaves May open for a potential one-off at the 2026 Indianapolis 500, despite complications from manufacturer rivalries between General Motors (Cadillac) and Honda (Andretti Global). In a January Associated Press interview, Herta expressed interest: "Obviously I want to do it, but I want to make sure it doesn't take away from any of the main stuff I am doing. If I get the chance, I will do it."
Industry figures support Herta's pursuit. Former F1 driver Alexander Rossi told Autoweek in January that Herta faces no undue pressure and will seize the opportunity. IndyCar's Pato O’Ward, in a December ESPN interview, urged backing Herta to elevate the series' reputation: "Because he is the first one who's going to make the move like he's doing from IndyCar going to F2. And we want that to be good, because it would only help the situation."