Colton Herta may very well be on the transfer to Components 2 in 2026 to be able to chase extra Tremendous License factors for a future Components 1 drive, RACER understands.
The IndyCar star races for TWG Motorsports-run Andretti and was linked with one of many Cadillac F1 seats, however any outdoors likelihood of touchdown one was ended by his lack of an FIA Tremendous License. Supplied Kyle Kirkwood takes half in Sunday’s race in Nashville, Herta can end no greater than sixth on this yr’s IndyCar standings – which would depart him on 37 of the required 40 factors – and he might theoretically drop outdoors the highest 10, for a three-year complete of 31.
As a step on the F1 feeder sequence ladder, F2 presents the required 40 factors to the highest three finishers within the championship, with double figures for all the prime six. Of further worth, all the championship races on the F1 undercard, that includes race weekends at 14 of the 24 grand prix venues this yr, whereas it additionally makes use of high-degradation Pirelli tires.
Herta beforehand raced in Europe in 2015 and 2016, however has by no means competed within the official F1 feeder sequence of F2 or F3.
With Cadillac having dedicated to the skilled pairing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for its debut season in F1, putting nine-time IndyCar winner Herta in F2 would permit him an opportunity to realize additional data of the sequence and work intently with the group, making ready him for a future race seat if and when he secures a Tremendous License.
RACER has data of a number of groups in F2 being approached about the opportunity of operating Herta, however it’s not but clear if any discussions have materialized into an settlement. Andretti would want to safe a substitute for Herta in IndyCar earlier than sanctioning such a transfer, and Will Energy is believed to be among the many choices.
The exploration of a transfer to F2 for Herta tallies with feedback from TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss in the course of the bulletins regarding Perez and Bottas in the beginning of this week, when he mentioned: “It is vital to us to verify there is a pathway for an American driver into Components 1, and we’ll be engaged on that”.
On the time, when immediately requested if he was contemplating putting Herta in F2, Towriss replied: “No, that is not what we’re reporting at present, no.”
