Cadillac racing in F1 with Andretti

[kptaylor]

Exactly! They have Bottas who has Ferrari engine experience.

[dren]

They signed Herta as test driver and it looks like he'll do a season or two in F2.

[kptaylor]

Herta needs SL points. Has to win F2 in one year or spend the two years there for enough points.

[basti313]

I think this is a good move for Herta. In Indy he simply is not competing at the very top, so just take the chance. F2 ist simply THE way into F1 just because of the tires. If it does not work out with F2 he will always get a seat in Indy again.

[Mr Brooksy]

I’m honestly puzzled by Herta’s move to F2. If — and it’s a big if — he wins the title next year, then what? Which seat is opening up for him? Is it really likely that either Bottas or Perez gets dropped after just one season? I haven’t seen anything about their contract lengths, but I doubt either of them only signed a one-year deal. So even if Herta does win F2, where does he go? Back to IndyCar?

[PlatinumZealot]

I’m honestly puzzled by Herta’s move to F2. If — and it’s a big if — he wins the title next year, then what? Which seat is opening up for him? Is it really likely that either Bottas or Perez gets dropped after just one season? I haven’t seen anything about their contract lengths, but I doubt either of them only signed a one-year deal. So even if Herta does win F2, where does he go? Back to IndyCar?

In that case, he becomes a more involved F1 test driver with more outings in 2027 then they drop either BOT or PER before 2028.

[basti313]

I’m honestly puzzled by Herta’s move to F2. If — and it’s a big if — he wins the title next year, then what?

I strongly doubt he has a chance to win next year. The learning curve on the tires does usually not allow for this. This is why they plan for two years.

Which seat is opening up for him? Is it really likely that either Bottas or Perez gets dropped after just one season?

Bot will be faster out than he was in. If I see it correctly Andretti is still on the board of Caddi F1 and now sends "his" driver to the F1 team. Clear path in my point of view.
It would not be surprising to me if Herta is doing well in F2, they go for getting him into F1 already in one year.

[dren]

I think this is a good move for Herta. In Indy he simply is not competing at the very top, so just take the chance. F2 ist simply THE way into F1 just because of the tires. If it does not work out with F2 he will always get a seat in Indy again.

Makes the most sense and gets him experience before the jump.

[Wouter]

She was seen today in the paddock with Dan Towriss (CEO), the former PA of Horner. From her Linkedin:

[Mogster]

I’m honestly puzzled by Herta’s move to F2. If — and it’s a big if — he wins the title next year, then what?

I strongly doubt he has a chance to win next year. The learning curve on the tires does usually not allow for this. This is why they plan for two years.

Which seat is opening up for him? Is it really likely that either Bottas or Perez gets dropped after just one season?

Bot will be faster out than he was in. If I see it correctly Andretti is still on the board of Caddi F1 and now sends "his" driver to the F1 team. Clear path in my point of view.
It would not be surprising to me if Herta is doing well in F2, they go for getting him into F1 already in one year.

Aye. Herta is Towriss’s man. If he storms F2 then Herta will be in the F1 car for 2027. No doubt.

That’s a massive if though. Herta has a mountain the size of Everest to climb if he’s going to be competitive in F2. He’s been out of European racing since 2017, F2 isn’t an easy series for anyone and can be a bit of a lottery mechanically. I actually think a top 10 finish with a couple of strong weekends would be decent result. He could do FP1 sessions to make up any outstanding SL points, if Towriss wants him in the F1 car still.

If he finishes 2026 as F2 champion and then goes on to be a factor in F1 it’ll be one of the greatest motorsports achievements ever. Failure is very likely, but you’ve got to respect the way Herta is trying to do this, putting his reputation on the line. It’ll be fascinating to see what happens.