While the "task is immense," Pato O'Ward supports the choice of Colton Herta

From the Californian coast to the Old Continent, Colton Herta will cross the Atlantic to reach the antechamber of the Formula 1The nine-time champion ofIndyCar will integrate the grid of Formula 2 with Hitech TGR in March 2026. A bold move for someone leaving a discipline where he had established himself as one of the most promising talents, with a single objective: to secure a Formula 1 seat. Herta is already familiar with European circuits, having raced in F3 British and in Euroformula Open before breaking through in the United States.

Before F1, the Super Licence

To reach F1, Herta still needs to earn the 40 points required for his Super Licence, the essential qualification. His IndyCar career only yielded 35 points, forcing him to accumulate the missing points in Formula 2. With his current total, he can already participate in free practice sessions (minimum 25 points), but not yet in a full Grand Prix.

Former Andretti driver and recently appointed Cadillac F1 test driver, Herta hopes to join the eleventh team in the paddock, which comes from the same TWG Motorsport group. For its first season, Cadillac F1 has nevertheless set its sights on two veterans of the category with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, thus relying on experience to build a solid foundation.

Ultimately, the American firm hopes to field an American driver, and Herta appears to be the natural candidate. Nothing is guaranteed yet, but the path seems clear: a solid season in F2, successful testing, and a seat could potentially open up in 2027.

ALSO READ > Colton Herta is keeping an eye on IndyCar: "I hope p"to be able to return"

IndyCar wants to see Colton Herta access to Formula 1 » according to Pato O'Ward

In the IndyCar paddock, Herta's choice has garnered widespread support, starting with that of his former rival Pato O'Ward. He is very talented, an excellent competitor in IndyCar, and I wish him all the best.Pato O'Ward told our colleagues at RACER. I would be surprised not to see him in a Formula 1 seat in 2027. He wouldn't make that change if it wasn't on the table for him. »

Colton Herta is universally admired across the ocean: his former colleagues dream of seeing him take the final step and reach the Holy Grail. I'm incredibly excited for him, and I really want him to succeed because he's going to be our representative in IndyCar. I think he's not just behind this project himself. There are clearly a lot of people who support him and want to see him succeed, beyond just being in Formula 2 next year. We want him to get to Formula 1 and perform well there. »

Upon returning to Europe, the IndyCar star is, however, leaving behind his familiar surroundings: a car A different challenge awaits Colton Herta: new tires, unfamiliar circuits, and a much more demanding pace. The task is immense. O'Ward saidThe tires are very different.. The car is much worse than an IndyCar, so it's clearly a step backwards in terms of capability and car feel. »

« As I said, I would be shocked to learn that he's doing this just for F2. the Mexican reaffirmed. I really hope that's the case, that he's doing it because he has a Formula 1 seat waiting for him, because otherwise, he'll miss IndyCar terribly. I'm sure of it. »

On this point, Colton Herta agreed with the Mexican in the podcast Stickers & Send it. “I would love to come back. I don’t know what the future holds, what the possibilities are, or if I’ll be able to do it.” concedes the future F2 driverI'm sure there will be discussions about this because I really like Indy. Former driver Andretti has thus announced his intention to participate in the Indy500 as early as May 2026. A wish theoretically achievable since the announcement of Marco Andretti's retirement, but not yet officially confirmed.

ALSO READ > Kyle Kirkwood extends his contract with Andretti for several seasons.