Colton Herta will have a different voice over the radio for this upcoming IndyCar season, as he revealed that his former racing father Bryan Herta will be his race strategist for the first time.
Herta’s name is synonymous with US open-wheel racing after competing in ChampCar and IndyCar from 1994-2006.
Herta created his own team in 2009 which merged into the Andretti Autosport outfit in 2016, through this collaboration it has helped his son rise through the Road to Indy ladder.
Having his father in a new role as race strategist comes among other personnel changes, having moved away from the Harding Steinbrenner partnership and into the No.26 Gainbridge entry.
The young standout already understands how critical pit stops and race strategy can be in IndyCar, and believes he and his father can work closely together while still maintaining their positive relationship.
“What’s kind of been nice, now my dad is actually my strategist,” revealed Herta. “I’m looking forward to that.
“I’ve never talked to him on the radio until we were testing over this winter. I don’t think he’s ever heard me talk on the radio before.
“I think you can tell by now that we’re both pretty mellow. We don’t get excited and we don’t get upset or very sad. Our emotions don’t really get the better of us.
“I think in that aspect, I think the other personalities will get heated at each other, where I don’t think it would happen with us because of how mellow we are.”
“I think for most teenagers growing up, the last thing they want to hear is their parents nag them and tell them what to do. I understand that he’s right, but that is the last thing I wanted to hear.”
The Herta duo will begin their racing journey at the start of the 2021 IndyCar season on April 18 at Barber Motorsports Park.
