Full results from Colton Herta's demanding first F2 test with Hitech TGR

Colton Herta took part in his first official Formula 2 test this week with Hitech TGR. The former IndyCar star was the only American among the 22 drivers on the grid, who participated in the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit, where both F2 and F1 concluded their 2025 seasons on Sunday, December 7.

F1 was first in line for its postseason test which lasted nine hours on Tuesday, December 9, with drivers from all 10 teams testing Pirelli's 2026 tire range. On Wednesday, F2 took over the track for a three-day test until Friday, with two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, on each day.

At the Yas Marina circuit this week, Colton Herta had a challenging time getting used to the Hitech TGR F2 car. The 25-year-old couldn't make the Top 10 in any of the six sessions across three days. His best result of P11 among 22 drivers came during the morning session on day one, while his worst result, a P19, was in the afternoon session on the final day.

Colton Herta at the Formula 2 Testing in Abu Dhabi - Day 1 - Source: Getty

Here are the former Andretti Global driver's results and lap times from the three-day F2 test at the Yas Marina:

Wednesday, December 10

Morning session (P11 after 32 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:39.792, nearly a second slower than leader Oliver Goethe (1:38.979)

Afternoon session (P17 after 51 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:39.416, over 2.2 seconds slower than leader Oliver Goethe (1:37.203)

Thursday, December 11

Morning session (P14 after 36 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:38.115, over a second off leader Oliver Goethe (1:37.049)

Afternoon session (P18 after 53 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:42.263, over 4.5 seconds slower than leader Rafael Câmara (1:37.646)

Friday, December 12

Morning session (P14 after 45 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:37.761, over half a second slower than leader Alexander Dunne (1:37.153)

Afternoon session (P19 after 63 laps) - fastest lap time of 1:41.672, nearly 3.5 seconds slower than leader Oliver Goethe (1:38.274)

It is important to note that Colton Herta would've had different run plans with Hitech TGR compared to his rivals, which could've contributed to his vast loss in lap time across the afternoon sessions on all days. He was quicker than teammate Ritomo Miyata in all but one session - the morning session on day 3.

Colton Herta shares assessment of his first F2 test with Hitech TGR

The No. 8 Hitech TGR of Colton Herta at the Formula 2 Testing in Abu Dhabi - Day 2 - Source: Getty

For Colton Herta, who makes the jump from IndyCar down to F2 in 2026, the Yas Marina postseason test was his first official test in current-generation machinery. The Cadillac F1 test driver did test an F2 car in early November at Monza, but it was an older-gen car.

The American driver's first experience driving the F2 car with the Pirelli tires (as opposed to IndyCar's Firestone tires) wasn't the most comfortable.

"It was all about getting comfortable, and I am still pretty far from being super comfortable in the car," Herta said after day 1 of the test. "It's good first steps, it's such an important three days for us, it's important to maximise everything that we do here. It's fun to be here, fun to be in a car in the offseason, and I am looking forward to the next two days."

The 2026 F2 season will begin in the first week of March, with the Australian GP from March 6 to 8.