Colton Herta could be on the move to Formula 2 in 2026 in order to chase more Super License points for a future Formula 1 drive, RACER understands.
The IndyCar star races for TWG Motorsports-run Andretti and was linked with one of the Cadillac F1 seats, but any outside chance of landing one was ended by his lack of an FIA Super License. Provided Kyle Kirkwood takes part in Sunday’s race in Nashville, Herta can finish no higher than sixth in this year’s IndyCar standings – which would leave him on 37 of the required 40 points – and he could theoretically drop outside the top 10, for a three-year total of 31.
As a step on the F1 feeder series ladder, F2 offers the required 40 points to the top three finishers in the championship, with double figures for the entire top six. Of additional value, the entire championship races on the F1 undercard, featuring race weekends at 14 of the 24 grand prix venues th is year, while it also uses high-degradation Pirelli tires.
Herta previously raced in Europe in 2015 and 2016, but has never competed in the official F1 feeder series of F2 or F3.
With Cadillac having committed to the experienced pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for its debut season in F1, placing nine-time IndyCar winner Herta in F2 would allow him a chance to gain further knowledge of the series and work closely with the team, preparing him for a future race seat if and when he secures a Super License.
RACER has knowledge of multiple teams in F2 being approached about the possibility of running Herta, but it is not yet clear if any discussions have materialized into an agreement. Andretti would need to secure a replacement for Herta in IndyCar before sanctioning such a move, and Will Power is believed to be among the options.
The exploration of a move to F2 for Herta tallies with comments from TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss during the announcements relating to Perez and Bottas at the start of this week, when he said: “It’s important to us to make sure there’s a pathway for an American driver into Formula 1, and we’ll be working on that”.
