Former Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson recently shared his thoughts on Colton Herta’s transition to Formula 2 as the American aims to fulfill his ambition of competing in Formula 1. Ericsson expressed confidence in Herta’s abilities while emphasizing the importance of the timeline for his progression in the sport.
Colton Herta, linked with Cadillac F1 during the 2025 season, has taken on the role of reserve driver for the newest F1 team after falling short of the points required to obtain an F1 superlicence. To secure enough superlicence points, Herta will compete full-time in the 2026 F2 season, using that series as a platform to gain eligibility and prove himself for an eventual F1 debut.
Ericsson’s Career Path from Europe to American Racing
Marcus Ericsson’s racing career began in the traditional European formula series, making his Formula 1 debut in 2014 with Caterham. Following Caterham’s financial troubles, Ericsson moved to Sauber in 2015, racing there through the 2018 season. In 2019, he shifted to compete in the American open-wheel racing circuit, joining IndyCar, where he continues to race today.
In a recent interview, Ericsson noted that many drivers typically move from European series to IndyCar in the United States, but Herta is reversing this trajectory by moving from American open-wheel racing back to the European-based Formula 2. Having raced in both F2 (formerly GP2) and Formula 1 himself, Ericsson was asked to offer guidance to his former Andretti Global teammate navigating this challenging transition.
“There is no doubt in my mind that he has the talent to succeed in F2 and ultimately in Formula 1. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. It’s more a question about getting used to the cars, the tracks over there. The tires are very different to what we have in INDYCARs. I think that’s some of the things where he needs to adapt and learn,” said Marcus Ericsson
“Again, I think from what I’ve seen from Colton, I’m sure he will do that. The question is more: does it take a year, two years, what’s the timeline. Again, with Formula 1, it’s all about timing, as well, timing your next move and all those things. Yeah, it’s going to be really cool to see and watch and follow. I wish him all the best,” added the Andretti Global driver.
Ericsson’s Drive to Rebound After Difficult Seasons
Marcus Ericsson has experienced notable challenges since joining Andretti Global, after fighting for wins and podiums during his previous tenure with Chip Ganassi Racing. Reflecting on disappointing 2024 and 2025 seasons, he expressed having a strong determination to improve as he heads into 2026.
“I definitely feel like I have a chip on my shoulder going into this season. I felt like the first year with Andretti was promising. We just didn’t manage to finish a lot of races. We sort of lost a lot of points. We still had good speed. Was a promising first year,” said Ericsson
“Really last year should have been a better year. It was just going the other way. Was a really disappointing season. It’s been a lot of sort of looking at myself in the off-season trying to figure out how I can get back to the level I know I can be at, like you said, I know I can be at,” he added
With his contract at Andretti Global set to expire after the 2026 season, Ericsson faces added pressure to perform well and secure a renewal, making this year crucial for his career trajectory.
The Broader Implications of Herta’s and Ericsson’s Trajectories
Colton Herta’s decision to return to Europe by competing in Formula 2 highlights the complexity and difficulty of advancing into Formula 1, even for established talents from other top-tier series like IndyCar. His pursuit underscores the strict requirements of the superlicence system and the challenges that come with adapting to new cars, circuits, and racing environments.
Meanwhile, Marcus Ericsson’s reflections underscore the competitiveness and unpredictability of a motorsport career, especially when transitioning between series and teams. Both drivers’ paths in 2026 will be closely watched by fans and industry observers as they represent distinct routes to achieving success in Formula 1 and top-level open-wheel racing.
