Colton Herta: Road to Formula 1

On the April 22, 2026 episode of Beyond The Grid, Tom Clarkson speaks with American racer Colton Herta about his long-held goal of reaching Formula 1. Herta describes F1 as the target he has chased since childhood, and explains why he left a comfortable IndyCar career to take the risk of racing in Formula 2 — a move intended to prove himself against an international field and make him a candidate for an F1 seat.

Now working as a Test Driver for Cadillac, Herta completed a seat-fit in the team’s F1 car on the day of the interview. He reflects on growing up at racetracks with his father, IndyCar figure Bryan Herta, and on a lifetime of motorsport that shaped his ambitions and approach.

Herta also shares candid memories of doors that didn’t open — missed chances with teams like Sauber and time away from Red Bull’s junior programme — and why he chose to move to Europe as a teenager to advance his career. There he competed in junior categories alongside faces who would later rise through the ranks, including a young Lando Norris.

Looking forward, Herta discusses his upcoming F1 practice-session debut for Cadillac later this season and what he still needs to prove to be ready for a race seat. Whether it’s with Cadillac or another team, his focus is clear: deliver strong results, stay prepared, and seize any opportunity to become the next American in Formula 1.