Dantouris, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cadillac Formula 1 Team, says Colton Helta’s switch to Formula 2 pays homage to the various challenges of the European-based racing.
Herta is leaving IndyCar to race in F2 in 2026, along with the role of a test driver for the Cadillac F1 team. Californians will need to earn six Super License Points to meet the requirements for racing in Formula 1. F2 offers more points than IndyCar and Towriss (Photo above) I told Racer that the difference between the IndyCar and Formula 1 races means Herta will benefit from the time in the feeder series and gain more experience.
“I think this also nods to paying homage to open wheel racing in Europe,” Touris said. “I think a lot of times someone is saying, ‘Oh, you’re an IndyCar champion and now you’re going to move to Formula 1.” And that qualification approach is something that hasn’t worked in the past, and each series is different.
“So the fact that Colton sees it like he does and shows his respect, I think that’s the right way for American drivers to come.
Herta’s Future F2 team is not yet fully complete, but Towriss confirms that the 25-year-old will be taking part in the series, representing another approach to helping American talent reach F1 and ultimately succeed.
“It certainly seems like an obvious road from that perspective. You can know the tires and trucks just with the knowledge you need to feel the car,” Touris said. “At what point will they come right after the cart or at what point will they come?
“Historically, there was a problem where American drivers clearly learned the series too early, but the kind of American fans don’t know who they are. So how do you position the place where American fans know who they are?
Not only the TWG side of the team, but the team’s principal, Graeme Lowdon, says that the winners of nine IndyCar races have all the attributes to succeed in the way they advance their transition to F2.
“One of the things that really impressed me from my initial contact with Colton was that he had a humble approach,” Loddon added to the racer. “All the best people have always had that humble approach because they believe in their abilities.
“He knows that if you’re racing Formula 2 for any reason, whether it’s learning tires or getting used to something, the competition is absolutely extreme in terms of talent and everything.
“I was not responsible at all because he came close to it. And it gives us so much confidence to the team as well. There’s no one there. We won’t come to this team in shape, shape, shape. The team is always the biggest and gives us a lot of confidence in the future relationships and the contributions he can gain from the team.”
