Michael Andretti's F1 saga has been a story of ambition, rejection, and relentless determination—but now, with Cadillac F1 set to hit the grid in 2026, IndyCar star Colton Herta is closer than never from his debut in Formula 1. However, the last obstacle remains as difficult as it is frustrating.
For years, Michael Andretti and his dream of running an American Formula One team seemed perpetually stuck at a standstill. Since 2023, the IndyCar icon turned Andretti Global team principal has fought tooth and nail for a place on motorsport's most exclusive grid. Despite the FIA's approval for Andretti Global in October 2023, F1 management hit the brakes, rejecting entry in January 2024.
The turning point came only after Michael Andretti's shocking decision to step down from directing the project. Within weeks, Formula 1 announced its 11th commitment for 2026: Cadillac F1, the very team that Andretti Global had worked tirelessly to establish.
Colton Herta: America's best chance in F1?
As Cadillac F1 prepares for its debut, all eyes are on Colton Herta, the electrifying IndyCar star who has long been tipped as America's next hope in Formula 1. Herta silenced the doubters by 2024 with an exceptional season, finishing second in the IndyCar championship and proving his worth on the track. Yet despite his impressive CV, his F1 aspirations depend on a bureaucratic formality—the precious FIA super license.
To compete in Formula 1, drivers need 40 super license points, and Herta's remarkable 2024 season took his total to 39. One point. It's the thin margin that separates him from a dream he's been pursuing for years. Despite being so close, Herta doesn't hold his breath.
“If it happens, it happens”
When speaking about her situation, Herta's tone revealed a mixture of resignation and pragmatism. “I didn’t even know what the math was for getting 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 that doesn't happen, then too bad for me, I'm stuck racing IndyCars. I’m fine, anyway.”
The frankness of his words is revealing. Herta, who turns 25 in 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 journey to Formula 1 has been anything but smooth. In 2022, Andretti Global publicly named Herta as their first choice for a potential F1 seat. That same year, Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri showed interest in signing him but was held back when the FIA refused to grant him a super license. The disappointment was a bitter pill to swallow, but the prospect of Cadillac F1 in 2026 kept his F1 hopes alive.
However, time is running out. Herta's ability to secure the final point for its super license depends on its performance in the 2025 IndyCar season or additional opportunities in other FIA-recognized series. Anything less than perfect could close the door on his Formula 1 dream, leaving him as one of the most talented drivers to ever grace the pinnacle of motorsport.
America Waits For Its Formula 1 Hero
The arrival of Cadillac F1 in 2026 is a monumental moment for American motorsport. With backing from Andretti Global and General Motors, it is the most serious U.S.-based effort in Formula One since Haas began. But without an exceptional American driver like Herta, the team risks missing out on the cultural and sporting impact that a local star could bring.
For Herta, 2025 represents a defining season—not only for his career but also for the hopes of millions of fans eager to see an American conquer the world's most glamorous and competitive racing scene. His talent is undeniable, but will fate, bureaucracy and circumstances finally align?
