Colton Herta shares his journey from IndyCar to a possible future in F1 with Cadillac on the Beyond The Grid podcast. He reflects on early racing experiences and his aspirations for joining the F1 grid.
American driver Colton Herta recently sat down with Tom Clarkson on the _Beyond The Grid_ podcast to discuss his ambitions in Formula 1. Herta, who has left the comfort of IndyCar for the rigors of Formula 2, hopes that this gamble will eventually land him a coveted spot in F1, particularly with Cadillac, where he's already serving as a test driver.
Currently, Cadillac's lineup includes Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with Zhou Guanyu as the reserve driver. Herta, on the day of his seat-fitting in Cadillac's F1 car, took the opportunity to reminisce about his upbringing in motorsport alongside his father, IndyCar legend Bryan Herta. He also recounted past opportunities that slipped through his fingers, such as potential deals with Sauber and Red Bull’s junior team.
Herta's journey has been marked by significant moves, including leaving the U.S. as a teenager to pursue racing in Europe. There, he competed alongside Lando Norris in junior categories, laying the groundwork for his aspirations in F1. Eagerly anticipating his first practice session with Cadillac later this season, Herta is focused on seizing any opportunity to step up to the F1 grid.
The podcast also touched on the prospect of Cadillac integrating an American driver into their main lineup in the future. Herta is keenly aware of what he must accomplish to be prepared for any opening that arises. The conversation offers a glimpse into the dedication required to transition from American racing circuits to the global stage of Formula 1.