If many Formula 1 drivers support Colton Helta and pair the role of new Cadillac test drivers in Formula 2 program, they’ll have an immediate grasp of races in Europe.
Herta was announced as a Cadillac F1 test driver on Wednesday. The nine-time IndyCar winner has taken a new position away from the series. The announcement points out that his future racing program will be announced in the future and the support category is his most likely destination as multiple F2 teams are approached about the possibility of running him.
After racing with Hertha for Carlin in the MSA Formula in 2015, the pair will share a British F3 seat the following season, and believe that Californians will have no problem adapting to the Formula 1 machinery.
“He’s probably not difficult for him, because he’s good at jumping in all sorts of cars, and that’s something he’s done for the rest of his life,” Norris said. “He is a very talented driver and a guy I really enjoyed growing up with him in 2015.
“So, I think he’s skilled enough to jump on something and be quick, so let’s say it’s not difficult. But being one of the best in Formula 1 is a challenge. If that’s still his goal, if his goal is to become a Formula 1 driver and a race driver, of course.
“But he has the potential to be in Formula 1. I hope to see him again.”
Norris also believes IndyCar should pay more super license points to allow people like Herta to make switches easier. F2 offers a higher number to the top 10 at that point, ensuring the top 3 A super licenses.
“That’s not my decision,” he said. “I think he’s probably able to drive a Formula 1 car and drive at an incredibly high level. He’s probably in the ranks and is better than most other drivers that appear in the likes of F3 and F2.
“I think there are still some allowances. You have to qualify in some way. I don’t think you can just become Billy and pay just to get into Formula 1, but I think IndyCar is one of the toughest series in the world.
“I don’t know how many points you’ll get with IndyCar, but it’s going to be above F1 levels to some extent.”
- Video: Racers Marshall Pruett and Chris Medland in Colton Helta’s Cadillac F1 Test Trading
- Herta wins the role of the Cadillac F1 test, and F2 is still an option
Opinion: Why F2 fits the role of Herta’s testing
Oliver Bareman raced in F2 for two years before stepping up to F1 this year. He says he’s been in the F1 Test and has been prepared for the “far farther away” category, but we can see the benefits of HERTA gaining experience in F2.
“That would certainly be interesting,” Bareman said. “I wish him good luck. It’s really cool to watch… Of course the levels are very high at Indycar, but it’s really great to see him coming to Europe and see how he’s riding.
“It’s difficult. I don’t know the details of how it works with IndyCar, but when you look at the qualifying rounds and race, it seems like they’re really aiming for that.
“It’s a little different here. And since I’ve been developing racing cars in Europe, I’m used to the fact that I do one push lap and cool the tires right away.
“That would be interesting. For me, it was a step from Formula 4 to Formula 3. There, you probably just need to press 5 or 6 laps in a row and then 1 lap. With the low rhythm and not continuous, it’s difficult to pull all your performances out of one lap.
“So it’s difficult. But he’s clearly a very good driver, so I’m sure he’ll get around that soon.”
We also received support from Oscar Piastri. Oscar Piastri won the F2 title a year ago as Alpine Reserve completed the F1 test before the McLaren move. The Championship Leader believes that F1 support cards add value to the race, adding that there are limitations to the Test-only role.
“Both have different purposes in several ways,” Piastri said. “I think he’s racing with Formula 1 on the weekend of Formula 1. That’s important. His situation is not in front of the paddock and in front of his eyes, as he’s clearly a test driver for the Cadillac.
“I think that’s definitely important because I think it’s completely different to the race I did on Formula 1 weekend before Formula 1 weekend.
“It’s obviously important that F1 tests speed up in F1 cars, but the tests have limited uses. Tires are not typical. They often do them in winter or when trucks are not in rubber.
“There are many limitations to that, but certainly you just get used to all the different things, everything and speed that can speed up in an F1 car and change your brain.