Michael Andretti’s F1 saga has been a tale of ambition, rejection, and relentless determination—but now, with Cadillac F1 set to enter the grid in 2026, IndyCar star Colton Herta is closer than ever to his Formula 1 debut. Yet, the final hurdle remains as steep as it is frustrating.
For years, Michael Andretti and his dream of leading an American Formula 1 team seemed perpetually stuck in neutral. Since 2023, the IndyCar icon-turned-team principal of Andretti Global fought tooth and nail for a place on motorsport’s most exclusive grid. Despite the FIA granting approval for Andretti Global in October 2023, F1’s management slammed the brakes, rejecting the entry in January 2024.
The game-changing twist came only after Michael Andretti’s shocking decision to step down from the leadership of the project. Within weeks, Formula 1 announced its 11th entry for 2026: Cadillac F1, the very team Andretti Global had been tirelessly working to establish.
Colton Herta: America’s Best Shot at F1?
As Cadillac F1 gears up for its debut, all eyes are on Colton Herta, the electrifying IndyCar star who has long been earmarked as America’s next Formula 1 hope. Herta silenced skeptics in 2024 with a stellar season, finishing second in the IndyCar championship and proving his mettle on the racetrack. Yet, despite his impressive résumé, his F1 aspirations hinge on a bureaucratic technicality—the elusive FIA super license.
To compete in Formula 1, drivers need 40 super license points, and Herta’s remarkable 2024 season brought his tally to 39. One point. That’s the razor-thin margin separating him from a dream he’s chased for years. Despite being so close, Herta isn’t holding his breath.
“If It Happens, It Happens”
Speaking about his predicament, Herta’s tone revealed a mix of resignation and pragmatism. “I didn’t even know what the math was to get a super license,” he admitted. “If it happens, it happens, great, and then I’ll have a decision to make, if I’m still wanted. If it doesn’t happen, then poor me, I’m stuck racing IndyCars. I’ll be alright either way.”
The candor in his words is telling. Herta, turning 25 this March, would be older than most rookies entering Formula 1. Yet his age pales in comparison to the weight of expectations. America hasn’t seen a truly competitive F1 driver in decades, and Herta’s raw talent and IndyCar pedigree have made him the focal point of a nation’s hopes.
The Rocky Road to Formula 1
Herta’s path to Formula 1 has been anything but smooth. Back in 2022, Andretti Global publicly named Herta as their first choice for a potential F1 seat. That same year, AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s sister team, showed interest in signing him but was thwarted when the FIA refused to grant him a super license. The disappointment was a bitter pill, but the prospect of Cadillac F1 in 2026 has kept his F1 hopes alive.
However, the clock is ticking. Herta’s ability to secure the final point for his super license depends on his performance in the 2025 IndyCar season or additional opportunities in other FIA-recognized series. Anything less than perfection could shut the door on his Formula 1 dream, leaving him as one of the most talented drivers to never grace the pinnacle of motorsport.
America Awaits Its Formula 1 Hero
The arrival of Cadillac F1 in 2026 is a monumental moment for American motorsport. With the backing of Andretti Global and General Motors, it’s the most serious U.S.-based effort in Formula 1 since the days of Haas’ debut. But without a standout American driver like Herta, the team risks missing out on the cultural and sporting impact a homegrown star could bring.
For Herta, 2025 represents a make-or-break season—not just for his career but for the hopes of millions of fans eager to see an American conquer the world’s most glamorous and competitive racing stage. His talent is undeniable, but will destiny, bureaucracy, and circumstance finally align?
