Colton Herta explains dramatic career move: 'My last shot at F1'

Colton Herta has acknowledged his move to Formula 2 is his “last shot at F1” as he seeks to secure a full-time drive on the grid.

Herta, who has spent the last several years racing in IndyCar, has joined Hitech in F2 for the 2026 season.

The American is looking to secure a super licence as well as impress Cadillac and convince the team he is worthy of a drive in F1.

Herta will carry out development driver duties with the team during its first season on the F1 grid, which will work in tandem with his F2 seat.

The 25-year-old was close to a drive in the series a handful of years ago when Red Bull requested a superlicence exemption - an application that was ultimately denied.

Explaining his decision to walk away from IndyCar, Herta highlighted he sees a real chance to get onto the F1 grid in the coming years.

"I look at it as this is probably my last shot at Formula 1, given my age and everything considered," he told ESPN.

"For sure, it's untried and untested and it'll be a lot of new stuff for me, something new to work on and learn. I'm excited.”

Herta highlighted he has not been set any expectations, insisting the primary goal is to learn the tracks and Pirelli tyres.

"I think [Graeme] Lowdon and a few other people behind the scenes kind of made it an easy decision," Herta said. 

"They laid it out. They said, 'Look, this is what we want to do.' I mean, there's nothing really out there that, like, 'Oh, I need to do this, I need to do that.'

"The most important thing is to learn, right? 

“Just kind of understand what's going on, and that's kind of been what's been told to me from the Formula 1 side of the team is really, in order for me to really help as my job as a test driver for the team, it would be to understand the tracks, understand the tyres. 

“And this is a great opportunity for me to do that.”