Colton Herta has insisted he will not partake in a second season of Formula 2 next year.
The nine-time IndyCar race winner made the switch to the junior category this season with Hitech, while also carrying out development driver duties for the new Cadillac F1 team.
Cadillac has highlighted its desire to field an American driver in the near future, with Herta deemed a potential option by the team.
However, the 24-year-old has endured a challenging campaign in F2 and currently sits 19th in the drivers' championship with three rounds remaining.
It has put a major hurdle in his pursuit of an F1 drive and has led to speculation that he could opt to return to the United States in 2027.
But as Herta mulls over his options, he declared that he is sure he will not stick around for another F2 season.
“I think we'll have to wait and see,” Herta told F1 Insider.
“But I have no interest in another year of Formula 2.”
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Herta vows to remain a fan of F2
Herta had a handful of point-scoring finishes in the opening phase of the F2 season, but has scored just once in the last 13 races.
His painful season took another turn last time out in Madrid when a qualifying crash ruled him out of the two races that weekend.
Despite his difficult season, Herta insisted he will remain a big fan of F2 once he departs the category.
“I'll definitely watch it; I'll always enjoy following Formula 2 as a racing series,” he said.
“I think I've watched Formula 2 races for the past ten years or so, and I'll continue to do so.
“I really like the racing style and the races themselves, and I have great respect for the drivers who compete here because I know what they're capable of.
“I already knew that, but now I know it even more from my own experience and I'm aware of the level at which everyone is operating.
“So, of course, I'm interested in the car, and I'll see what it looks like, what its downforce figures are, and how well it's suited for racing next year.
“I'll definitely keep following it.”
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