“We have a lot to do”: When Colton Herta shed some light on the routine of an IndyCar driver

IndyCar driver Colton Herta once outlined the routine of an IndyCar driver. The Andretti driver shed light on the racing-related work that open-wheel racing drivers do in between race weekends.

Herta shared the same during the post-race press conference at the 2024 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. The Toronto race was held on July 21, 2024, and there was a four-week break before the next IndyCar race, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. The Andretti driver was therefore asked about his and the team's plan of action during those four weeks.

Herta said in a Speed Freaks video uploaded on July 27, 2024,

“We have a lot to do. You know, we have simulator days. You know, we have test days, straight line days, wind tunnel days, shake right days. There's a whole bunch of stuff that we will be doing. And although IndyCar racing won't happen for a little bit, we will still be working hard as could be to, to get, once we get back, be on the front foot.”

Colton Herta qualified on pole for the 2024 Indy Toronto with an average speed of 107.982 mph and set a time of 59.5431. The American dominated the race, leading 81 laps out of the total 85, and won the race in the No. 26 car.

The 24-year-old finished the 2024 IndyCar championship as the runner-up behind Alex Palou. Herta missed out on the title by 31 points in what was his best championship year to date. The American is rumored as a possible option for the Cadillac F1 seat but will need to attain a super license before the 2026 F1 season.

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Former IndyCar engineer analyzes Colton Herta's Cadillac F1 seat chances

IndyCar reporter and former IndyCar engineer Marshall Pruett discussed the possibility of Colton Herta joining the Cadillac F1 team for the 2026 season. F1 approved Cadillac's 2026 F1 bid in late 2024 with Andretti and GM becoming the key supporters of the American manufacturer. Herta's name popped up as a possible signing soon after the official announcement.

Pruett discussed the same on his podcast as he said:

“Odds of Colton Herta being one of Cadillac's drivers in 2026, would say, pretty strong, assuming they get him a sufficient amount of super license points. He might be a couple shy, not many. Does he want to? I think so. I asked him about this a month or two ago. He said that it's not exactly something that he's chasing but he would certainly be open to it.” (19:33 onwards)

The Andretti driver needs a P4 finish or higher in the 2025 IndyCar championship to get enough points for a Super license. He currently sits on 32 points and needs at least 40 points accumulated over a three-consecutive-year period.