Herta ‘tired’ of F1 speculation: Enough with the dangling carrot!

IndyCar star Colton Herta has once again found himself at the center of Formula 1 speculation, but this time, he’s making no secret of his weariness with the topic.

The 24-year-old Andretti Global driver, long touted as a candidate for F1, has grown tired of the endless chatter about his potential move to the sport – especially amid renewed links to the upcoming Cadillac F1 team.

Since the beginning of the decade, Herta has been the IndyCar driver most frequently tipped for an F1 switch.

A History of Near-Moves

In 2022, his current team, Andretti Global, made it clear that he would be their first choice should they secure an F1 entry.

Then came the links to Red Bull’s sister team, then called AlphaTauri, a move ultimately blocked by his lack of a superlicence.

Herta also enjoyed a private test with McLaren in 2022.

Now, with General Motors’ Cadillac project earmarked for a 2026 entry, his name is once again at the center of the F1 conversation.

During IndyCar’s recent media day, the American was bombarded with questions about his F1 prospects.

Herta’s Sarcasm Speaks Volumes

When asked about needing to finish fourth in the championship to guarantee a superlicence and whether this added extra pressure, Herta’s lassitude was palpable.

“I guess the answer to that is I didn't even know what the math was to get a superlicense,” he replied.

“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.”

• Read also: Hinchcliffe tips trio of IndyCar stars for Cadillac seat

The sarcasm is thick; Herta's clearly tired of the endless speculation.

While Cadillac hasn’t officially commented on Herta’s F1 prospects since Michael Andretti stepped down from leading the project, Mario Andretti has continued to publicly support Herta as a prime candidate.

Tired of the Dangling Carrot

Despite potential avenues to expedite Herta's superlicence, such as FP1 runs with other teams, Herta's focus remains firmly on the present.

The fact that he'd be an older rookie by F1 standards, turning 25 in March, is also something he addressed.

“I don't really have a concern with it at all,” Herta stated.

“I’ve kind of been dragged around in this talk for, it feels like, half a decade now. I've had the carrot in front of me for a while.

“I’m kind of tired of that being the case, and I just want to drive at this point and focus on IndyCar this year and focus on winning a championship, and if something arises out of that, I'd have to think about it.”

Herta’s message is clear: he’s fed up with the constant F1 chatter.

“It's still not a 'for sure' thing,” he added. “All my friends and family are here in the US, and I don't know anybody where I'm [would be] going, so it's a big decision to make - if I have to make that decision.”

For now, Herta’s focus remains squarely on his IndyCar career and chasing a championship, leaving the F1 dream where it’s been for years: dangling just out of reach.

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