"Not a scenario in my mind" - Andretti insider skeptical of Jamie Chadwick replacing Colton Herta in IndyCar if Cadillac F1 deal goes through

Andretti Insider Marshall Pruett is against the possibility of Andretti Global's Indy NXT driver Jamie Chadwick replacing Colton Herta if the 24-year-old heads to the Cadillac F1 team in 2026. Mario Andretti has shown keenness to sign Herta for F1's 11th team.

According to Pruett, Chadwick wouldn't be the best replacement for Herta in the title-contending Andretti seat. He discussed this possibility on his podcast, The Week in IndyCar, saying:

"This is not a scenario in my mind if I were running a racing team where I would take an unproven IndyCar of any name and drop them into one of the title-contending seats, like the one that Colton used to storm his way to P2 in the championship last season."

"There are cars and seats within teams that you look at and go, 'Hey, that's the give a driver a shot, let them develop, hopefully they'll be effective in their second or third year-type opportunities.' This number 26 Honda ain't one of them."

Jamie Chadwick is yet to compete in an IndyCar race. However, the British driver has already tested Andretti Global's No. 25 Honda at the 2.38-mile road course at Barber Motorsports Park in October this year.

Her fastest test lap fell 1.056 seconds short of Aston Martin F1's reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, who tested for Chip Ganassi Racing. Though she became the first woman in 13 years to test for a full-time IndyCar seat, she couldn't see her dream through.

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Jamie Chadwick temporarily sidelines IndyCar for Le Mans

Jamie Chadwick at the Formula E Pre-Season Testing in Jarama - Source: Getty

Jamie Chadwick had a reputable two Indy NXT seasons with Andretti Global. In her debut season in 2023, she got off to a rough start but turned her campaign around in the second half to earn five Top 10 finishes. She finished 12th in the standings.

In her sophomore year in 2024, Chadwick earned her first podium in race three at Indianapolis. Three races later, she took her first and only Indy NXT victory, starting on pole position and finishing in style. The Briton became the first woman since Pippa Mann in 2010 to win an Indy NXT race. However, she couldn't secure a spot on the 2025 IndyCar grid.

As a result, she has chosen to take her talents elsewhere. Chadwick has committed to driving for the IDEC Sport LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series. She announced her departure from Andretti in a heartfelt post on X on December 5.

"Thank you, @AndrettiIndy for an incredible two years! Although IndyCar isn’t in my immediate plans, I’m super thankful for everything I’ve learned and experienced with this fantastic team. I'm excited to keep pushing myself and look forward to the new adventures ahead!"

Chadwick is a three-time champion of the W series, a female-only motorsport series that took place in 2019, 2021, and 2022. She also serves as a development driver for the Williams F1 team.