Colton Herta on missing the Indy 500 after F2 schedule reshuffle

Colton Herta says it ‘hurts’ to miss the Indy 500 after Formula 2 swapped cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds for Miami and Montreal, creating a clash. He stays upbeat about the new North‑American F2 venues. The reshuffle underscores how global events can reshape racing calendars, forcing drivers to prioritize series commitments.

Why it matters:

Missing the Indy 500 is a blow for a nine‑time winner and a marquee IndyCar event, while F2’s first North‑American races signal a strategic push to broaden the feeder ladder and attract U.S. fans.

The details:

• F2 added Miami and Montreal after the Middle East rounds were scrapped because of the war.
• The Canadian Grand Prix on June 9 conflicts with the Indy 500 on May 26, leaving Herta ineligible as a fourth Andretti Global entry.
• Herta, a nine‑time IndyCar winner, stays focused on F2, calling the new tracks “fun to drive” and great exposure for the series.

What's next:

Herta will stay in Formula 2, eyeing a future F1 seat, while Andretti Global looks for a replacement driver for the Indy 500. If Miami and Montreal prove popular, they could become regular stops, anchoring F2 in North America.