Colton Herta Stays Quiet Amid Speculation on Formula 2 Move Ahead of Nashville IndyCar Finale

Colton Herta at the Center of Formula 2 Rumors Ahead of IndyCar Finale

As the IndyCar season finale at Nashville Superspeedway approaches, all eyes are on Colton Herta, one of the series' standout drivers. But instead of making headlines for his on-track performance, Herta is in the spotlight over persistent rumors of a potential move to Formula 2 (F2), Formula 1's official feeder system. The move could help Herta collect the FIA super license points required to qualify for Formula 1, and speculation is fueling significant intrigue among motorsport fans.

Colton Herta's IndyCar Legacy

Herta has been a mainstay in IndyCar racing since 2018, amassing nine career wins and establishing himself as a driver with immense potential. However, his path to Formula 1 has been blocked by super license eligibility rules, which require drivers to accumulate specific points through global racing participation.

During media sessions on Tuesday, Herta chose to sidestep questions about his rumored shift to Formula 2, keeping fans and pundits guessing. "Oh boy, I don't really have any comments for any of that stuff, to be honest," Herta told The Associated Press when pressed about reports tying him to F2.

Despite his silence, Herta's approach left room for speculation. When asked if the rumors themselves could impact perceptions of his racing career, Herta quipped, “It does, but it also makes people talk about me more. Maybe even raises my stock a little.”

Andretti Global’s Formula 1 Ambitions

The rumors surrounding Herta stem from his ties to Andretti Global, a powerhouse in IndyCar and the owner of the Cadillac Formula 1 team. Andretti’s F1 project—which began back in 2021 under then-team owner Michael Andretti—originally penciled in Herta for a seat in its lineup. The goal was to establish a distinctly American presence in Formula 1, with Herta serving as the team's centerpiece.

But despite this ambitious plan, Herta has yet to meet the FIA's stringent super license requirements, forcing Cadillac to fill its 2026 lineup with veteran F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez instead. When asked about Herta during the team’s F1 driver lineup announcement on Tuesday, Andretti Global owner Dan Towriss explained, “That’s not what we’re reporting today,” leaving the door open to further speculation.

A Tale of Two Rumors

Towriss drew a sharp distinction between rumors surrounding Herta and those involving former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. When asked about Horner joining Cadillac, Towriss bluntly denied any such discussions, stating, "There have been no talks with Christian Horner. No plans to do that. I’d like to officially shut down that rumor."

The lack of a clear denial from Towriss regarding an F2 move for Herta suggests the Californian’s IndyCar future may hinge on his ability to secure a path into Formula 1.

2023 IndyCar Season Finale: Herta’s Mixed Season

For now, Herta’s focus remains on closing out the IndyCar season at Nashville. However, 2023 has been far from his best campaign. Herta is winless heading into the finale and sits sixth in the standings, trailing Andretti teammate Kyle Kirkwood. Last year, Herta delivered a career-best second-place finish in the championship but hasn’t been able to recapture that form this year.

Meanwhile, Álex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing has already clinched the 2023 IndyCar Championship, leaving drivers like Herta with little to play for this weekend aside from individual race glory.

What’s Next for Colton Herta?

For fans and analysts, the big question remains: Will Colton Herta stay in IndyCar, or will he take the leap into Formula 2 in pursuit of his Formula 1 ambitions? Adding even more intrigue, two-time IndyCar champion Will Power has been linked to potentially replacing Herta at Andretti Global, should Herta make the move to F2.

Herta’s own coy responses have done little to dampen speculation, and as the offseason approaches, both IndyCar and Formula 1 fans will be paying close attention to the developing story. With Herta’s talent and Andretti Global’s vested interest in getting him into Formula 1, the stakes have never been higher.

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