Colton Herta Ruled Out Return to Formula 2
The American driver has decided against a second season in the junior category.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Motorsports
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Colton Herta has confirmed he will not participate in another season of Formula 2. The 24-year-old currently drives for Hitech and is navigating the final stages of his debut year in the series.
Why it matters
The decision marks a pivot in Herta's professional trajectory as he continues his tenure as a development driver for the Cadillac F1 team. His exit signals a shift in focus toward future opportunities that may include a return to racing in the United States.
Herta holds 19th place in the current championship and has finished in the points only once during his last 13 outings. He enters the final stretch of his season with three Formula 2 rounds remaining.
The players
Colton Herta
He is a 24-year-old American race car driver who previously achieved nine victories in the IndyCar Series.
Hitech
This is the motorsport team that serves as the entry team for Herta in the Formula 2 championship.
Cadillac
This is a luxury automotive brand and F1 team project that employs Herta as a development driver.
The details
Herta, a nine-time IndyCar race winner, spent this season competing for Hitech to gain experience in the European circuit. Despite his pedigree in North American open-wheel racing, he has struggled to find consistency in his current Formula 2 campaign.
Timeline
Herta is currently competing throughout the 2026 season.
A potential return to the United States is anticipated for 2027.
Season Trajectory
Herta's departure from the junior category underscores the Cadillac F1 team development program's ongoing efforts to evaluate and prepare American drivers for elite global racing. His move impacts the future roster strategy for the team as it seeks to field a domestic driver in the coming years.
With three rounds remaining in the 2026 season, Herta will look to improve his 19th-place standing before concluding his time with Hitech. His exit from the series effectively narrows the pool of American candidates currently climbing the official Formula 1 feeder ladder.
The takeaway
Herta's move highlights the high barrier to entry for American drivers transitioning into the European open-wheel system. Successfully balancing international junior formulas with domestic racing roles remains a critical challenge for emerging talent.
Further reading
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