Key Highlights:
- Colton Herta confirms an open desire to enter the Indianapolis 500 and IMSA endurance classics in 2027 if his scheduling allows.
- A calendar reshuffle previously derailed Herta’s planned fourth entry for Andretti Global at the 2026 Indy 500 when an FIA Formula 2 event in Montreal conflicted with the race.
- Herta’s ultimate 2027 schedule depends on his primary responsibilities as a Cadillac Formula 1 test driver and his ongoing pursuit of an FIA Super License.
Colton Herta Eyes Indianapolis 500 Comeback for 2027
American racing standout Colton Herta has made it clear that his commitment to single-seater racing in Europe has not diminished his enthusiasm for historic events at home. While his exact motorsport plans for 2027 remain unfinalized, the 26-year-old California native and current Cadillac Formula 1 test driver is determined to return to the Indianapolis 500 and selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events should his primary calendar permit.
Herta is currently in the closing stages of his rookie campaign in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech as he continues his targeted drive to secure an FIA Super License. That single-minded push toward a potential Formula 1 race seat has redirected his full-time attention abroad, but his ties to American open-wheel and sports car competition remain strong.
Before his transition to the European ladder, Herta captured nine IndyCar Series victories and completed the 2024 season as championship runner-up. He also completed seven consecutive starts in the Indianapolis 500 between 2019 and 2025. He was originally slated to drive a fourth car for Andretti Global at Indianapolis this past May, but that plan fell apart when the FIA adjusted the Formula 2 schedule—inserting a Montreal round alongside the Canadian Grand Prix to substitute for canceled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia—creating an insurmountable date clash.
“Yeah, I’ll never turn down the Indy 500,” Herta told Motorsport.com. “I always want to do the Indy 500. It was a shame this year that I couldn’t do it. You know, it was all set up.”
Reflecting further on the scheduling collision that wiped out his planned appearance with Andretti Global, Herta added: “Yes, and that threw everything out. But it was going to happen and unfortunately it didn’t. I don’t know what next year looks like for me. But if I get the chance, 100 percent, I would love to do the Indy 500.”
Balancing Formula 1 Aspirations with IMSA Endurance Ambitions
Herta currently holds 19th position in the Formula 2 drivers’ standings, highlighted by a season-best fifth-place finish in the Barcelona Sprint Race and four other scoring results inside the top eight. The F2 championship calendar is slated to conclude with back-to-back events in Qatar on November 28–29 and Abu Dhabi on December 5–6, though those rounds have experienced months of scheduling uncertainty linked to ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East that began in February.
Simultaneously, Herta has stayed sharp in prototype racing by serving in Wayne Taylor Racing’s endurance roster. Piloting the #40 Cadillac V-Series.R alongside co-drivers Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz, Herta recently earned a podium finish at Petit Le Mans. He hopes to retain his participation in IMSA’s marquee long-distance fixtures going forward.
“If it was up to me, I would try to do as much as possible… as much as possible doing the three endurance races (Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans),” Herta said regarding his sports car prospects.
“I really enjoy that… I watch all the races, so I don’t miss a race from these guys. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of it, but if it’s up to me, 100 percent I will try to be back in doing races. But, you know, I think it all depends on what next year looks like, which I just, I don’t know yet.”
Why This Matters
Colton Herta’s situation illustrates the logistical and contractual hurdles modern drivers navigate when attempting to balance North American racing with the FIA ladder system. Earning an FIA Super License requires a dedicated focus on sanctioned championships that yield qualifying points, often placing drivers at the mercy of unpredictable international calendars. However, Herta’s dual role within the General Motors and Cadillac racing stable provides unique cross-disciplinary flexibility, keeping the door open for high-profile guest outings at both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and premier endurance tracks like Daytona and Sebring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Colton Herta miss the Indianapolis 500 this past May?
Herta had finalized plans to pilot a fourth entry for Andretti Global at the Indianapolis 500, but a late calendar adjustment by the FIA scheduled a Formula 2 event in Montreal during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend to make up for canceled races in the Middle East. The direct date conflict forced Herta to forgo the Indy 500.
What racing programs is Colton Herta currently competing in?
Herta is serving as a Cadillac Formula 1 test driver while completing his debut season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Hitech. In addition, he has served as an endurance driver for Wayne Taylor Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, sharing the #40 Cadillac V-Series.R with Jordan Taylor and Louis Deletraz.
Which IMSA races does Herta hope to enter in 2027?
Herta expressed a strong interest in contesting the three major IMSA endurance rounds: the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and Petit Le Mans, provided his primary 2027 commitments allow the flexibility.
