Former IndyCar race winner Colton Herta believes that despite a ‘disappointing’ maiden Formula 2 season, a Formula 1 promotion could still be on the cards.
Herta sent shockwaves through the paddock with his F2 announcement late last season. The American joined Hitech Grand Prix, partnering Ritomo Miyata at the highly experienced feeder series outfit. However, since the start of the season, Herta has struggled to match the pace of his rivals, finding himself 19th in the standings.
Crucially, the 28-year-old participated in the series, with the hopes of securing crucial Super Licence points in his quest for F1. But with just 26 points across his maiden campaign thus far, Herta is a long way from where fans may have anticipated.
But Herta suggested his expectations were never that high. The Hitech driver praised his rivals across the grid, calling them some of the “fastest” on circuits around the world.
“It would be foolish to sit here and think that I will be on the pace right away, that I will be on the pace and ready to win in my first race,” Herta explained.
“I may be older, but speed-wise, these guys are just as fast as anybody out there.”
Behind Colton Herta’s F2 struggles
Ahead of a two-month championship gap, the former IndyCar driver reflected on the season thus far. Herta explained that whilst the championship has been challenging, it’s been a struggle to understand the reasons behind certain performances. Revealing he is still unsure why he and Hitech have been struggling to put together consistent performances across an entire weekend.
“Nothing in particular, it’s just been the whole thing,” Herta responded when asked about the most challenging part of his F2 campaign.
“Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a whole bunch of positives at any point. For whatever reason, there’s been zero pace, and nothing has really changed.
“It’s unclear why we can’t put a weekend together from start to finish and it be completely strong. I think it’s just a head-scratcher to be qualified three seconds off here. It just makes zero sense to me.”
Despite having the pace in early-season testing, Herta’s race weekend performances haven’t lived up to those results. The 26-year-old has secured a best finish of fifth in Barcelona, despite starting on the second row.
“Through the winter testing, we were fairly strong. All the private testing that I’d done, I was strong, but for some reason on race weekends, it just hasn’t ever translated.”
“It’s frustrating, but all we can do is just keep trying,” Herta explained.
The season left Herta explaining that he wasn’t interested in doing another season in F2.
“I said ‘I don’t have an interest’,” the American suggested.
“This year, I think if there was clear progression and whatnot, it would be more interesting to return, but there’s zero progression.
Herta sheds light on future after F2 season
Despite the disappointing F2 campaign this season, Herta suggests his focus has shifted more toward the Cadillac F1 team. Highlighting more sim work and TPC tests with the team as FF2 heads into a prolonged championship break.
“I’ve been doing a lot more with the F1 team now as far as sim stuff. I just did a TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] day on Monday, which was very strong,” Herta revealed.
“On the F1 sim and the TPC stuff, the pace has been really strong, but for whatever reason, it’s just not translating to F2.”
When asked about his plans for next year, the Cadillac development driver explained that he currently has nothing lined up.
“I don’t have anything for next year at the moment, but we’re discussing, getting through that as far as what the opportunities are for me within the team.”
But Herta isn’t ruling out a potential return home to the States for IndyCar next season. The American highlighted that his main goal remains achieving the F1 dream that he is so close to.
“It all depends on what next year looks like. My focus is still on getting to F1, and I still think I have a chance of that in these next two years. But I don’t know exactly. I have to sit back and see what the plan is for Cadillac for me.
“And once I know that, then I can make more decisions on maybe if I’m in Formula 1, if I’m not. What does that look like in terms of, is it a reserve role? Is it still a test role? If that’s the case, what other series can I race in during that to stay busy?
“So, there’s a lot of just, like, nothing to say at the moment, unfortunately, until I have more solidified plans for next year – then I can build everything out around that.”
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