TWG Motorsports and Cadillac Method 1 Crew CEO Dan Towriss says Colton Herta’s swap to Method 2 exhibits respect to the totally different challenges of racing primarily based in Europe.
Herta is leaving IndyCar to race in F2 in 2026 alongside a Cadillac F1 Crew take a look at driver function, with the Californian needing to attain six Tremendous License factors to satisfy the necessities to race in F1. Whereas F2 provides extra factors than IndyCar, Towriss (pictured above) informed RACER the variations in racing in IndyCar and F1 imply Herta will profit from the time within the feeder collection to realize additional expertise.
“I feel this is also a nod to displaying respect to European open-wheel racing,” Towriss stated. “I feel we have seen a variety of occasions somebody says, ‘Oh, properly, you are the IndyCar champion and now you are going to transfer over to Method 1.’ And it is like that entitlement strategy hasn’t labored previously. The whole lot must be earned and every collection is totally different.
“So I feel the truth that Colton is viewing it the way in which that he’s and displaying that respect coming in, I feel that is the correct method for an American driver to come back in, definitely for us on the Cadillac Method 1 facet.”
Whereas Herta’s future F2 group has but to be totally finalized, Towriss has confirmed the 25-year-old will be a part of the collection and he believes it represents a distinct strategy to serving to an American expertise attain F1 and in the end achieve success.
“It definitely looks as if an apparent path from that standpoint, by way of simply the information that is wanted to really feel the automobiles, realizing the tires and the tracks,” Towriss stated. “I assume at what level they arrive over, whether or not they should come over proper after karting or at a later stage.
“Traditionally we have had this drawback that if drivers from the U.S. depart too early they clearly have discovered the collection, however then form of the U.S. followers do not know who they’re. So how do you place that the place the U.S. followers know who they’re? They’ve created a physique of labor within the U.S. and now have this chance to race in Method 1. So we’ve got that chance with Colton, with what he will do, however that is distinctive and never simple to come back by.”
It’s not simply on the TWG facet of the group that Herta has impressed, both, with group principal Graeme Lowdon saying the nine-time IndyCar race winner has all the attributes to succeed due to the way in which he’ll go concerning the transition into F2.
“From the primary contact that I’ve had with Colton, one of many issues that actually impressed me was he has a humble strategy,” Lowdon added to RACER. “The very best individuals at the whole lot at all times have that humble strategy as a result of they’ve a perception of their potential – and that got here throughout actually strongly – however there is not any illusions as properly.
“He is aware of that if he does Method 2 racing for no matter motive, whether or not it is to be taught tires or to get used to one thing or no matter, he is aware of that the competitors there will likely be completely excessive by way of expertise and the whole lot. And I like that individuals have respect for the competitors.
“Simply the entire method he is approached it, I could not fault in any respect. And it provides us an terrible lot of confidence within the group as properly. No person involves this group entitled in any method, form or kind. The group’s at all times the largest factor and it simply provides me a variety of confidence for the long run relationship and the contribution that he could make to the group.”
