Now, here is a wild transition that simply hasn't gone according to script. As Motorsport.com reports, Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has suggested that Colton Herta “maybe underestimated the difference” between the frantic world of IndyCar and the brutal environment of F1's primary feeder category. The Californian made a massive gamble for 2026, walking away from seven years as an American single-seater frontrunner to chase that ultimate Formula 1 dream back in Europe.
That ambition landed the 26-year-old a test and development gig with Cadillac’s nascent F1 operation, requiring a dominant apprenticeship in F2 to prove he belongs on the global grid. Unfortunately, the reality has been rather harsh. Herta currently sits 19th in the drivers’ standings, and his performances have actually dipped as the year has worn on—leaving him completely baffled by the slide, which has unfortunately featured multiple heavy crashes.
Michel is quick to acknowledge the raw talent of the driver, admitting the campaign has proven significantly tougher than anticipated for a competitor of his calibre. The working environment and the sheer shift in team culture caught everyone off guard, though Michel remains hopeful the Hitech driver can turn things around before the lights go out on the year.
The Frenchman highlighted F2's unforgiving weekend rhythm as a major stumbling block for the newcomer. With a mere 45-minute free practice session and a rapid 30-minute qualifying hour standing between drivers and the racing action, there is zero margin for error. Nailing the track timing and extracting maximum performance from limited sets of tyres on tight schedules is notoriously brutal. That precise time-crunch is designed to mirror Formula 1 weekends, but it clearly bit Herta harder than he planned for.
Beyond the stopwatch struggles, external uncertainties have clouded the paddock. Herta recently admitted he wasn't even certain if he would contest the remaining rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to threats stemming from the Iran war. Thankfully, Michel has firmly put those doubts to bed, confirming those events will go ahead without cancellation.
As for what comes next, the Hitech machine's pilot has made his feelings crystal clear about sticking around for another year. Herta has “no interest” in a sophomore F2 campaign, though he ultimately leaves the door open if Cadillac demands it for his development. Let's see if he can finish this tough season on a high.
