Brief overview
Colton Herta is expanding his 2026 programme. He is leaving IndyCar and focusing on the road to Formula 1. In addition to his role as Cadillac test driver, he will drive in Formula 2 for Hitech. That will now be joined by three major IMSA endurance races.
Which races is Herta racing?
Cadillac announced that Herta will compete with Wayne Taylor Racing in a V-Series.R in the three main IMSA events. They are the following races in 2026:
- Daytona 24 Hours - 24-25 January
- Sebring 12 Hours - 21 March
- Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta) - October 3
Herta joins teammates Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz. With them, he already achieved success in 2024: a win at Sebring and a third-place finish at Daytona.
How does this fit into his F2 programme?
The F2 calendar starts in March and runs through December. Herta expects to drive in Melbourne in early March and then has a round in Bahrain in April. Between those weekends, the Sebring endurance fits. There is also a longer break later in the season, followed by Petit Le Mans in October. The IMSA races do not disrupt that schedule dramatically.
Why does this mix make sense?
The combination makes a lot of sense athletically. Endurance races keep Herta race fit in the long intervals. He gets extra testing days, such as the ‘Roar before the 24’ before Daytona and other tests. Moreover, he gathers more experience in different cars and sessions.
Experience and expectations
Herta already has a lot of experience in endurance racing. He started several times in Daytona. In 2019 he won in GTLM and in 2022 he did not lose - then he took an LMP2 victory. That experience makes him a valuable asset for Wayne Taylor Racing.
Comparisons and trend
The dual role of test driver and endurance driver is no exception. Many F1 test and reserve drivers combine it with WEC or IMSA. Names of recent examples show that teams are increasingly using young talent broadly. This keeps young drivers getting valuable mileage outside sprint calendars.
Important consequence
Herta is making a clear move towards Formula 1. His role at Cadillac and the extra races help him stay sharp and gain experience. At the same time, he is accumulating the superlicence points needed to start in F1.
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