Head of TWG Motorsport and Team Partner for Andretti Global Dan Towriss explained the biggest motorsport news of the IndyCar break thus far, Colton Herta ‘s appointment as Test Driver for Cadillac F1.
Towriss went into great detail about the recently announced move and lifestyle change for the former driver of car no. 26, who has decided to return to Europe after eight season in the top American single seaters championship .
Long time coming breaking news of the day
He explained on the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast the circumstances which allowed for the young American talent to take a shot at pursuing his dream.
“So if we’re looking at the TWG Motorsports checkerboard, the board up on the wall, what are, what are some of the pieces that we’re moving around? Cadillac Formula 1 will be announcing Colton Herta as a test and development driver, for the team, from that standpoint. So, so Colton’s going to be leaving Andretti to pursue his dream in Formula 1.”
Towriss revealed that this is not the first time such a move could have happened, as the motorsport group had already come pretty close to signing a deal with one of the full-time Formula 1 teams, Sauber.
“You know, it was something that we were looking at a few years ago when Michael [Andretti] and I were looking to acquire Sauber, then that deal didn’t happen. Things kind of fell through at the last minute, but it really kind of started Colton on this journey where he really started to show, you know, a lot of promise in Formula 1. He went over to Switzerland, got on the simulator, and within an hour was faster than the two Formula 1 drivers [Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi] with the team at that time.”
Herta has already had time to impress
Over the span of the years, Herta got other Formula 1 adjacent opportunities, joining McLaren as Development Driver in 2022 and taking part in two test sessions. However, Towriss hinted that Herta has had other opportunities as well, and all the hard work he has put in has led to his Cadillac F1 chance.
“You know, that led to some other things to show some real excitement along the way. So he’s built up an actual body of work that not everybody knows about in Formula 1 in terms of some of the tests that he’s done from that standpoint. Even drawing interest from Red Bull later on from there. So again, we’ve been fortunate to keep Colton at Andretti in the IndyCar team.
“So, now he’s going to pursue that dream in Formula 1. To do that, he’s going to take a pretty big risk. He’s leaving IndyCar, he’s not going directly to Formula 1. This is a test and development driver role, and so he’s going to be going into F2. He’s got to learn tracks, he’s got to learn tyres, tyres are a big part of that. Very different from IndyCar from that standpoint. So I just couldn’t be more proud of Colton to be willing to take that risk to pursue his dream.
Why not immediately at the top?
Towriss also discussed the reason why Herta hasn’t been immediately appointed to the main driver team lineup of Cadillac F1. The American team set to debut in 2026 has instead opted for the rather experienced duo of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
“Yeah, so it was just like. ‘Hey Colton, we’ve talked about Formula 1 for a long time now. And, you know, as I think about it, it took a lot to get here. So, you know, Graeme Lowdom, the team principal paid a big price to get into Formula 1. I, you know, paid a price to get into Formula 1. If you want to, this is the price you have to pay to get into Formula 1 through work and development.’
“Of course, we’re not talking money. Because, going back, I think most people know that our journey to Formula 1 was a rocky one. It was three years of trying to break through and get an entry for an American team. Graham was central to that process. We were kind of partners through this massive uphill journey to try to secure an entry.
“And we got it. So it’s just like nothing about Formula 1 is easy from that standpoint. And, hey bud, it’s not going to be easy for you too. But, if you want to pursue that dream, this is what the path looks like.This is what you’re going to need to do. And it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to do that.”
A great risk for a top driver in IndyCar
Towriss also discussed Herta’s potential to impress in another top tier championship, as he begins to work towards a spot at Cadillac F1. He highlighted what he has already proven so far, but also how difficult it’ll be.
“Yeah, so I think Colton, through the various tests that we’ve talked about, has shown high potential in a Formula One type car. A lot of times when people think about IndyCar and Formula One or NASCAR, just looking at different series, they kind of think that, oh, being successful in one means you’re going to be successful in a different one.”
Recently, NASCAR champions Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Larson have had chances to test their worth in IndyCar. Both have highlighted the differences and difficulties of adapting to their challengers.
“I just don’t think that that’s actually the case. They’re very different. Like, it’s very challenging to go from IndyCar to NASCAR or vice versa. It’s almost… You guys tell me, but it’s almost like unlearning all of your instincts and doing the opposite in a lot of ways from that standpoint. And so I think Colton has shown very high potential in a Formula One type car.
“I think he’s very good at like high commitment corners. He’s done very well on street and road type courses. Generally in IndyCar, that’s been a speciality of his, just seeing a different way around the track from other people. Colton also adapts to new information very, very quickly. His driving style has been adapted to doing a lot of complex things in the car.
”I think all of those are going to be skills that are needed in Formula One. He’s historically done very well with tyres, but he’s going to have a new challenge in that as well.”
No guarantees…
Towriss also admitted that it is not a given that Herta will ever become a full time driver for Cadillac F1. However, the former Andretti driver is ready to take the chance.
“Yeah, so like I said, I think Colton’s taking a big risk. We’ve got two experienced drivers in the car. I’m confident Colton will get his shot, but he’s got to earn it, right? He’s taking that risk. This isn’t Colton signing, which I think people should really take note of and admire Colton for that bold move.
“It’s not like he’s not entitled to the seat. He’s not guaranteed the seat from that standpoint. He’s going over to prove that he belongs in Formula One. I think we could all say that people that don’t belong in Formula One, it separates it out pretty quickly, right? If it’s not meant to be. And so it’s not the right move really for anyone from that standpoint.”
…but a bold dream
The American was definitely impressed by the young driver’s readiness to do anything to get to the pinnacle of motorsport, as he added.
“I think that’s part of what you have to look at in this situation, why Colton’s doing a big thing here. I mean, it’s like no risk, no reward from that standpoint. But what I applaud most about him is his willingness to be uncomfortable. You know, when you come to a fork in the road, the most comfortable thing he could have done was say. “I’m well paid, I’m going to stay in IndyCar and go try to achieve this next best thing.
“But he chose the unconventional path. He chose something that’s a very uncomfortable situation. There’s a lot of new things that are going to come at him. But I think it’s when you do put yourself in that situation, he’s going to grow tremendously. He’s got a big opportunity in front of him as well.”
