Scott McLaughlin hoping to see Colton Herta race in the 2026 Indy 500 despite leaving IndyCar at "peak of his powers"

Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin is hoping that Colton Herta returns to the Indy 500 grid in 2026 despite having left IndyCar. The 25-year-old left Andretti Global and the series after the 2025 season to join Cadillac F1 as a test driver and simultaneously race full-time in Formula 2 in 2026 as part of his F1 prep.

However, Herta does have a chance to return for the 110th Indy 500 next year. There are no F2 races in May, and TWG Motorsports, which manages both Cadillac F1 and Andretti Global, could allow him to race in the premier IndyCar race in Andretti's fourth entry.

Marco Andretti occupied that entry until 2025. But with the 20-time Indy 500 starter announcing his retirement a couple of weeks ago, it sets the stage for Colton Herta's potential return.

In a recent interview with Motorsport, Scott McLaughlin spoke about Herta's move from IndyCar to F1 and if such a move was something he ever considered.

"I sort of missed the boat from that perspective," said the three-time Supercars champion. "I was in Supercars at an age where I'd probably make the shift. You know, Colton's a young guy. He's got plenty of talent, and he's got an opportunity that's very hard to resist, and I give him credit for doing that, because he's at the peak of his powers here in IndyCar. He can win races at any given time. But he's got an opportunity that's hard to put down at that age, and he's always wanted to be in F1. He's a friend of mine and I hope he does really well."

When asked if he'd miss having Colton Herta in IndyCar, the Team Penske driver replied:

"He's a good dude. We'll see him at probably, hopefully, the Indy 500, I imagine."

Scott McLaughlin had a nightmare at the 109th Indy 500 this year. He crashed out on the pre-race pace lap, putting a heartbreaking end to his race before it started.

Colton Herta would "love to be back" for the Indy 500 in 2026

The Andretti Global Honda of Colton Herta during a pit stop at the 109th Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

Colton Herta is IndyCar's youngest race winner and was considered a future champion. He has nine race wins and many more podiums to his name. However, the Indy 500 hasn't treated him as kindly as the other races.

In seven starts at the Greatest Spectacle of Racing, Herta has had three DNFs and only two Top 10 finishes, with a P8 finish in 2020 as his best result at the prestigious race. In a recent interview on the Stickers and Send It podcast, an IndyCar exclusive, the Cadillac F1 test driver addressed the possibility of a return to the Indy 500 next year.

"I'd love to be back, but I don't know what's on the card, what's available, and if I'll be able to," he said. "I'm sure there will be discussions about it. Because for me, I love Indy so much. It doesn't deserve to treat me any sort of way, although it hasn't been too kind for me so far, and we've had some big ones, not great results. But it drives you even more, makes me even more hungry to come back. So yes, I hope I do get to come back."

Colton Herta will also race for Cadillac Racing in three events in the 2026 IMSA SportsCar Championship - the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Petit Le Mans.

Edited by Yash Kotak