Colton Herta, the American who has left behind his successful career in IndyCar, has shared his reflections on his trajectory towards Formula 1. In a recent interview, Herta revealed that after a failed agreement with AlphaTauri for the 2023 season, he thought his opportunities in F1 were over.
Currently, Herta holds the position of test driver for the Cadillac F1 team in 2026, while he will compete full-time in Formula 2. The young driver had already considered making the jump to F1 in 2021, at a time when Andretti Autosport was trying to acquire the Sauber team.
Herta took on the role of development driver for McLaren in 2022, intending to contribute to the team’s car. Subsequently, negotiations with Red Bull for a seat at AlphaTauri seemed promising, but the lack of superlicence points thwarted his plans, as the team could not obtain an exception from the FIA.
In an episode of the podcast F1 Beyond The Grid, Herta expressed his disappointment regarding the situation with AlphaTauri, stating that he had begun to think he wouldn’t have another opportunity in the top category of motorsport. “When that agreement didn’t materialize, I told myself ‘I’m getting old and I probably won’t have more opportunities.'”
However, with the offer from Cadillac, Herta feels fortunate to count on the same professionals he met during his IndyCar career. This new opportunity opens a new chapter for Herta, who is excited to work with a team he deeply values.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
