IndyCar race winner Colton Herta has not denied the newest rumours linking him with a possible transfer to Formulation 1 within the coming years.
Whereas there isn’t a berth instantly obtainable on the Andretti-supported Cadillac F1 staff in 2026, it has been advised that proprietor TWG World is contemplating inserting Herta in F2 subsequent yr to organize him for a future in grand prix racing.
Such a transfer would serve two functions: enable him to be taught F1 tracks in high-downforce equipment whereas concurrently incomes sufficient superlicence factors to be eligible for an F1 seat as early as 2027.
Herta at the moment has a long-term contract with Andretti in IndyCar by means of to the tip of the 2027 season, however transferring him to F2 would enable the Honda squad to herald its newly-crowned Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger or somebody extra skilled like Will Energy.
The 26-year-old stated he’s conscious of hypothesis on his future in IndyCar, however dismissed any talks as simply rumours.
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“I’ve heard these rumours, too. That’s all it’s proper now, is rumours,” he informed IndyStar, with out immediately denying a transfer to F1 or F2.
Herta beforehand examined F1 equipment for McLaren in 2022 as a growth driver and was even being thought of by Pink Bull for a seat at AlphaTauri in 2023. Nonetheless, a scarcity of superlicence factors acted as a hurdle, with the FIA unwilling to make an exemption for him regardless of his stellar file in IndyCar.
Since then, Herta has banked 30 superlicence factors after ending runner-up to Alex Palou within the 2024 title race.
Nonetheless, holding sixth place this season within the IndyCar standings with this weekend’s last race to run, the Californian is simply set so as to add six extra to his tally.
To succeed in the required threshold of 40 over a three-year interval, he would solely have to complete ninth within the 2025 F2 season.
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Finishing official observe classes with an F1 staff may assist him bolster his whole.
Earlier this yr, Herta stated he was uninterested in persistent rumours linking him with a transfer to F1.
“If it occurs, it occurs. Nice. After which I’ll have a call to make, and if it doesn’t, then poor me, I’m caught racing Indy automobiles. I’ll be alright both method,” Herta stated through the pre-season.
“I’ve type of been dragged round in these talks for, like half a decade now. I’ve had the carrot in entrance of me for some time, and I’m type of uninterested in that being the case, and I simply wish to drive at this level and deal with IndyCar this yr and deal with successful a championship, and if one thing arises out of that, I’d have to consider it.
“[Going to F1 after earning a super license] continues to be not a for-sure factor. All my family and friends are right here within the U.S., and I don’t know anyone the place I might be going, so it’s a giant choice to make if I’ve to make that call.”
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