--- title: "‘I’ve never given him driving advice’ – Bryan Herta on Colton’s F1 dream" description: "Bryan Herta opens up on coaching Colton’s racing life, not his driving, while steering Kyle Kirkwood’s IndyCar strategy and expanding his team empire." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/i-ve-never-given-him-driving-advice-bryan-herta-on-colto-bbb947df published: 2026-07-03T12:56:51.766+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T12:56:51.766+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["indycar"] --- # ‘I’ve never given him driving advice’ – Bryan Herta on Colton’s F1 dream > Bryan Herta opens up on coaching Colton’s racing life, not his driving, while steering Kyle Kirkwood’s IndyCar strategy and expanding his team empire. Bryan Herta has never coached his son Colton on how to drive—only on how to live the racing life. The two-time IndyCar race winner and team owner made the distinction clear in a recent interview, emphasizing that his role in Colton’s career is about mentorship, not mechanics. While Colton Herta chases an F1 seat, Bryan is focused on Kyle Kirkwood’s strategy at Andretti Global in the NTT IndyCar Series and scaling Bryan Herta Autosport into a championship contender. Bryan Herta Autosport has expanded from a single-car operation to a multi-driver force, with Colton as its flagship talent and Kirkwood leading the Andretti Global alliance. Bryan’s dual role—team strategist by day and supportive father by night—highlights the unique pressures of a racing dynasty in the making. He insists his guidance stops at racecraft philosophy, not pedal-to-metal technique. ‘I’ve never given him driving advice,’ Bryan said. ‘I’ve given him advice on how to be a professional, how to handle the ups and downs, how to manage the business side.’ The elder Herta frames Colton’s F1 pursuit as a natural progression, not a forced path, while Kirkwood’s IndyCar campaign remains the immediate priority for the Andretti Global partnership. Kyle Kirkwood, fresh off a podium finish at the 2024 Indianapolis 500, credited Bryan’s strategic input for his strong run, calling him ‘a master of race strategy.’ Meanwhile, Colton Herta’s F1 testing with McLaren in 2023 and Williams simulator work in 2024 have kept his name in the conversation for a future seat. Bryan’s hands-off approach to driving instruction contrasts with the hands-on strategy sessions he leads for Kirkwood, underscoring the separation between family and team roles. ## Why this matters This is a rare glimpse into a motorsport family navigating the highest levels of racing without blurring the lines between personal ambition and professional duty. Bryan Herta’s refusal to coach his son’s driving—while shaping the careers of other drivers—exposes the delicate balance of legacy, opportunity, and expectation. It’s a case study in how family and sport collide, with IndyCar’s immediate battles and F1’s distant horizon both in play. ## Frequently asked ### Has Bryan Herta ever coached Colton Herta on driving techniques? No. Bryan Herta has explicitly stated he’s never given Colton driving advice, focusing instead on broader professional and life lessons. ### What is Bryan Herta’s current role with Andretti Global in IndyCar? Bryan Herta serves as a strategist for Kyle Kirkwood’s Andretti Global campaign in the NTT IndyCar Series, leveraging his race-day decision-making expertise. ### How has Bryan Herta Autosport evolved under his leadership? The team has grown from a single-car operation to a multi-driver entity, with Colton Herta as its lead driver and a growing presence in IndyCar. ### What F1 opportunities has Colton Herta pursued recently? Colton Herta completed F1 testing with McLaren in 2023 and has participated in Williams simulator sessions in 2024, keeping his F1 prospects active. ### How does Bryan Herta separate his roles as father and team strategist? Bryan Herta maintains a clear divide: he mentors Colton on professionalism and racing life but reserves strategic coaching for drivers like Kyle Kirkwood on race day. ### What was Kyle Kirkwood’s standout result in 2024? Kirkwood finished on the podium at the 2024 Indianapolis 500, a performance he credited in part to Bryan Herta’s strategic guidance. ## Sources & Citations - [‘I’ve never given him driving advice’ – Bryan Herta on Colton’s F1 dream](https://racer.com/2026/07/01/-i-ve-never-given-him-driving-advice-bryan-herta-on-colton-s-f1-dream) — RACER IndyCar (2026-07-01) --- Cite: ‘I’ve never given him driving advice’ – Bryan Herta on Colton’s F1 dream. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/i-ve-never-given-him-driving-advice-bryan-herta-on-colto-bbb947df