Andretti: Herta still Cadillac F1's top pick for 2026

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American IndyCar star Colton Herta remains a front-runner to claim a seat with the future Cadillac F1 team, according to racing legend Mario Andretti.

The 1978 F1 world champion, who is currently a director and advisor to the General Motors-backed team, says the US outfit which is gearing up for its entry into F1 in 2026 is expected to lock in its driver line-up soon.

Andretti sees Herta's blend of raw talent with a hunger to prove himself at the pinnacle of motorsport as a perfect fit for Formula 1's prospective eleventh team.

A Proven Talent with the Right Pedigree

Andretti's belief in Herta isn't just blind patriotism – it's rooted in a career that's been building toward this moment.

"Looking back at the way Colton has trained from the very beginning of his young career – as you know, he started in Formula 3 and so on with the likes of Lando Norris, and he's done some F1 testing," Andretti said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Zak Brown gave him a good test at Portimao in Portugal. You should see the report that we got from [team principal] Andrea Stella. And Andrea is an individual that says it like it is — so again, [Herta's] a great candidate.

"And all of this has to be proven, of course, but going in, he's a good bet, in my opinion."

At home last year, Herta cemented his status as one of IndyCar's elite, finishing as runner-up in the championship with Andretti Global.

A season marked by blistering pace and near misses, it showcased a driver knocking on the door of a title – a door he'll aim to kick down in 2025 before potentially trading IndyCar for Formula 1.

Lessons Learned, Champion in Waiting

Reflecting on Herta's 2024 campaign, Andretti sees a driver who's tantalizingly close to putting it all together.

"Some mistakes were made last year that cost him a championship, and unfortunately that happens," Andretti said.

"Sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself and then you make that mistake. But when you look at the ingredients that were there, you had the ingredients of a champion.

"But for just one of those instances, he could have been champion. So, when you look back and assess all those things, you've got to feel pretty good."

That near-championship run wasn't just about speed – it was about growth. Asked if Herta's consistency in 2024 revealed a new dimension to his game, Andretti didn't hesitate.

"Not only that, but he's also very versatile," insisted the 84-year-old legend.

"He's good in every area, like the ovals, short ovals, superspeedway. He's competitive everywhere, so he's definitely championship material."

From the tight confines of short ovals and street circuits to the high-speed thrills of superspeedways, Herta's adaptability makes him a tantalizing prospect for Cadillac, a team looking to hit the ground running in F1.

Timing the Transition

The clock is ticking, and Cadillac isn't wasting time. Andretti confirmed that the team is deep in the planning stages for its driver lineup.

"Everything is on-going right now. You think about those things every day, and that's going to become official probably mid-year," he said.

"We are obviously looking at every aspect of every opportunity that's there. It's clear that the objectives are to have at least one American driver and then another experienced driver alongside, and start like that."

Pairing Herta with a seasoned F1 veteran fits the squad's vision – a blend of homegrown talent and global expertise to tackle the sport's steep learning curve.

The Superlicense Sprint

One hurdle remains in Herta's F1 journey: securing an FIA superlicense. As of early 2025, he sits at 32 points, eight shy of the required 40, after his 2021 season was dropped from the rolling three-year tally.

A dramatic win at the 2024 IndyCar finale in Nashville briefly pushed him to 39 points, but time has reset the challenge.

A top-five finish in the 2025 IndyCar standings would seal the deal, but Herta has another ace up his sleeve: F1 practice sessions. With teams now mandated to field rookies in four FP1 sessions per year, each 100km outing could net him a point – plus invaluable seat time in an F1 cockpit.

As the 2025 IndyCar season unfolds and Cadillac's plans take shape, all eyes will be on Herta to deliver the performances that could cement his place in F1 history.

For a nation craving for an American star in the series, the pieces are falling into place – and Herta might just be the one to carry the flag.

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