Colton Herta is considered a frontrunner for the 2026 seat (Image: Getty)
Colton Herta, considered the leading contender for one of ’s 2026 seats, has expressed concerns about swapping his ride for a spot on the F1 grid.
The 24-year-old nearly made his F1 debut in 2023 after Helmut Marko and AlphaTauri (since rebranded as Racing Bulls) pinpointed him as their prime target to replace Alpine-bound , but super license troubles stopped Herta from making the move, and Nyck de Vries was signed instead.
Herta now has another shot at F1 through the Cadillac F1 Team, which will join the grid in 2026. The California-born racer has strong links to the squad through his IndyCar employers, Andretti, and is seen as the leading American prospect in open-wheel racing.
However, despite his name being circulated along with the likes of Valtteri Bottas, and , Herta still needs convincing. “I’ve kind of been dragged around in this talk for, it feels like, half a decade now,” he said. “I’ve had the carrot in front of me for a while.”
Herta continued: “I’m kind of tired of that being the case, and I just want to drive at this point and focus on IndyCar this year and focus on winning a championship, and if something arises out of that, I’d have to think about it.
“It’s still not a for sure thing. All my friends and family are here in the US, and I don’t know anybody where I’m going, so it’s a big decision to make if I have to make that decision.”
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Kyle Kirkwood has also been touted as an option for Cadillac (Image: Getty)
Andretti team-mate Kyle Kirkwood, who enjoyed a remarkable junior career in the since-rebranded Road to Indy pathway, has also been named as a possible option for the new F1 squad. However, like Herta, the 26-year-old is cautious about the impact the move could have on him.
“Of course, it would be of interest,” Kirkwood said. “But at the same time, I love what I do here in IndyCar. It’s what I always aspired to be – an IndyCar driver. It keeps me in the US, it keeps me at the place where I grew up.
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“I was born and raised in Jupiter, Florida, and I still live in Jupiter, Florida – and I love that about IndyCar, it keeps Americans at home, at least. It’s give and take in either direction. Of course, I’m interested, but I wouldn’t be upset if I wasn’t given the opportunity if you understand.”
Kirkwood’s concerns may stem from the plight of close friend , who scored points just once during an ill-fated 18-month stay at Williams. F1’s latest American recruit cut a frustrated figure in the paddock and left the sport beleaguered, with his reputation damaged considerably.