Herta calls F2's limited practice format a 'wake-up call'

Former IndyCar star Colton Herta says the Formula 2 championship's highly restricted practice schedule has been a significant adjustment and a 'wake-up call' in his pursuit of a Formula 1 future. The American driver, who left a successful IndyCar career to join the F1 feeder series, highlighted the immense pressure of having just one 40-minute practice session with a single set of tires before qualifying.

Why it matters:

Adapting to the compressed F2 weekend format is a critical test for any driver with F1 aspirations, as it mirrors the need to perform instantly under pressure at the highest level. Herta's candid assessment sheds light on the steep learning curve and the unforgiving nature of the junior series, where a single mistake in practice can derail an entire weekend with little chance for recovery.

The details:

• Herta, who also serves as a test driver for the Cadillac F1 project, described the shock of the F2 format on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast, specifically citing an incident in Melbourne.
• The core challenge is the extreme time and resource constraint: drivers get only one 40-minute free practice session and one set of tires before qualifying.
• This limitation forces drivers to find their pace and optimize car setup extremely quickly, leaving almost no room for error or mechanical issues.
• Herta emphasized that success in F2 hinges on arriving at the track fully prepared, as there is "very little time to catch up and recover" during the weekend itself.
• Despite the challenges, Herta showed flashes of speed, topping the practice session in Miami in front of his home crowd.

What's next:

Herta currently sits 11th in the F2 drivers' championship as he continues his adaptation. His performance and feedback will be closely watched, not only for his own progression but also as he balances his F2 duties with his development role for Cadillac's upcoming F1 entry. Mastering the demanding F2 format is the next essential step in proving he has the quick adaptability required for a potential F1 seat.