Colton Herta has explicitly stated that he is “tired” of the renewed F1 speculations linking him to the Cadillac project. Instead, he wants to focus his efforts on winning the IndyCar championship in 2025.
Herta’s name has been linked to an F1 drive a couple of times in recent years. 2022 saw him take part in a TPC (testing previous car) programme with McLaren at Portimão. His current Andretti team proclaimed that he would be their first choice if their bid to join F1 got approved.
There were also reports suggesting that the 24-year-old was in the frame at AlphaTauri in 2023. However, with Herta being short on superlicence points and the FIA not offering him an exemption, these talks ultimately came to nothing.
Herta’s name has been propelled to the headlines once more now with GM/Cadillac entering F1 in 2026. Although the Andretti name is no longer associated with the project, F1’s 11th team will be led by TWG Global. They recently took over the running of it to satisfy Liberty Media and F1.
With a historic American brand joining the grid, many believe that the California native Herta, who currently races for the TWG-owned Andretti IndyCar outfit, will be a prime candidate to secure one of the coveted seats in 2026.
Speaking to select media on Tuesday, including Pit Debrief, 2024 IndyCar runner-up Herta addressed the renewed speculations. Furthermore, he shared his thoughts on whether needing to finish at least fourth in the championship standings to guarantee an F1 superlicence brings additional pressure this season.
Colton Herta is weary of the renewed Cadillac F1 speculations
When asked whether his age might be a factor in terms of making that step up to F1, Herta dismissed the concerns.
Referring to the multiple talks over the past five years that have linked him to a potential F1 drive, the American declared that he is tired of the fruitless discourses. Furthermore, he stated that he intends to focus on his IndyCar championship campaign. He failed to secure the title by only 31 points last year. It was his most consistent campaign in the series to date.
“Yeah, I don’t really have a concern with it at all.
“I’ve kind of been dragged around in this talk for, it feels like, half a decade now. I’ve had the carrot in front of me for a while.
“I’m kind of tired of that being the case, and I just want to drive at this point and focus on IndyCar this year and focus on winning a championship, and if something arises out of that, I’d have to think about it.
“It’s still not a for sure thing. All my friends and family are here in the U.S. And I don’t know anybody where I’m going, so it’s a big decision to make if I have to make that decision.”
Herta is not preoccupied with the F1 superlicence stipulation
Herta registered his strongest IndyCar season to date in 2024. He picked up his career-first oval victory in the season finale at Nashville. With him finishing second in the drivers’ standings to three-time champion Alex Palou, the 24-year-old now has 39 points. He is one short of the necessary 40 to get a FIA superlicence.
As it stands, Herta needs to finish fourth or higher in the championship this season. Then he will be eligible for the superlicence. Whether this prerequisite would generate additional pressure to perform, he said he is unaware of his licence situation.
Nonetheless, Herta offered assurance that even if he doesn’t manage to land an F1 seat, he is content racing in the IndyCar series.
“I guess the answer to that is I didn’t even know what the math was to get into—to get a superlicence.
“If it happens, it happens, great, and then I’ll have a decision to make, if I’m still wanted.
“If it doesn’t happen, then poor me, I’m stuck racing IndyCars. I’ll be all right either way.”
