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Colton Herta gets honest about “big shift” from IndyCar to F2 after signing with Hitech GP for 2026

**Cadillac F1 Test Driver Colton Herta to Race in F2 in 2026 as He Pursues Formula 1 Dream**

Cadillac F1 test driver Colton Herta has reflected on a major career shift as he leaves IndyCar to race in Formula 2 (F2) in 2026. The American driver’s move is driven by his desire to fulfill his “ultimate ambition” of competing at the pinnacle of motorsport in Formula 1 (F1).

On Tuesday, F2 team Hitech Grand Prix announced that it had signed Herta for the 2026 season. Rumors about this move had been circulating for several weeks, with the 25-year-old’s father, racing icon Bryan Herta, confirming that Cadillac F1 was negotiating with Hitech on his son’s behalf.

The California native, who is IndyCar’s youngest-ever race winner, shared his feelings about leaving the premier American open-wheel racing series to take a step down and compete in F2 in pursuit of his F1 dream.

> “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Hitech for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season,” Colton Herta said.
> “This is a big shift in my career, and I’m ready for the challenge. I’ve loved my time in IndyCar and I’m proud of everything I achieved, but the opportunity to race in F2 on the Formula 1 calendar, against some of the best young drivers in the world, was one I couldn’t pass up.”

Herta has harbored a childhood dream of racing in F1 and once competed alongside McLaren’s Lando Norris during their junior formula careers in Europe. Although fate eventually brought him back to America and IndyCar, the 25-year-old is now back on track for what appears to be his final shot at securing an F1 seat.

> “I’ve always worked to keep the door to F1 open, and this move is part of that ultimate ambition,” he explained.
> “I know it won’t be easy learning the car, the tyres, the tracks, but I’m approaching this with determination, focus, and a lot of motivation. My goal is to compete at the front, continue developing as a driver, and put myself in the best possible position for a future in Formula 1.”

Herta praised Hitech Grand Prix’s reputation and track record, adding:
> “Hitech has an excellent reputation and a proven track record, and I’m confident it’s the right environment for me to develop and perform. I want to thank them for believing in me and providing the platform to make this step.”

### Transition from IndyCar to Cadillac F1 and the Role of F2 in Herta’s Career

Colton Herta will depart Andretti Global after the 2025 IndyCar season to join sister team Cadillac F1 as its test driver for 2026. While Cadillac F1 has already signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez on multi-year deals starting from 2026, Herta’s move away from a top IndyCar seat suggests a strategic plan for 2027.

However, as Bryan Herta revealed last month, Cadillac F1 will not use Colton’s performance in F2 as a deciding factor for granting him an F1 race seat. Instead, the move to F2 with Hitech GP is designed primarily to help Colton familiarize himself with F1 circuits and gain valuable experience with Pirelli tyres.

This transition is crucial because IndyCar uses Firestone tyres, which behave very differently from Pirelli tyres used in Formula 1 and Formula 2. Competing in F2 will also give Herta an opportunity to earn the necessary points toward an FIA Super Licence—a key qualification required for eligibility to race in F1.

The lack of a Super Licence has already been a hurdle for Herta on two occasions. In 2023, Red Bull wanted him to replace Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly but could not finalize the deal due to his licence status. Similarly, Cadillac F1’s initial plans to sign him as a full-time F1 driver for 2026 were also impacted by this issue.

As Herta embarks on this new chapter in F2, his determination to transition to Formula 1 remains clear, making 2026 a pivotal year in his motorsport career.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/indycar/news-colton-herta-gets-honest-big-shift-indycar-f2-signing-hitech-gp-2026

Zubeen Garg Death: Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival postponed as Assam mourns its cultural icon

**Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival Postponed Following the Tragic Demise of Assam’s Cultural Icon Zubeen Garg**

In the wake of the tragic passing of Assam’s celebrated singer Zubeen Garg, the organisers of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) have announced the postponement of its 10th edition. Originally scheduled for December 4-7, 2025, the festival will now be held in 2026 as a mark of respect during this period of collective mourning.

**Festival Statement**

In an official statement, the BVFF team expressed, “It is with a heavy heart that the 10th edition of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival, originally scheduled for December 4-7, 2025, has been postponed to a later date in 2026. This decision comes as Assam mourns the loss of its most beloved cultural icon Zubeen Garg, whose voice and vision defined generations. BVFF stands in solidarity with the people and the creative community.”

The organisers further added, “As a festival deeply rooted in the cultural and emotional fabric of this land, we feel it is only right to pause our celebrations this year, in remembrance and respect. We are deeply grateful to our filmmakers, partners, and audience for their continued support and understanding. Refunds for all submissions will be processed in due course.”

**A Cultural Loss Felt Across Assam**

Zubeen Garg was more than just an artist to the people of Assam; he was a symbol of cultural pride and inspiration. His untimely death earlier this year in Singapore has triggered widespread grief across the state, as well as protests and intense scrutiny regarding the circumstances surrounding his passing.

**Legal Developments and Public Tensions**

On the investigative front, swift action has been taken by authorities. Five individuals—including the festival organiser, Garg’s manager, his cousin (who is a police officer), and his security personnel—have been arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Tensions escalated outside Baksa District Jail when crowds gathered and reportedly hurled stones and sandals at police convoys. Several vehicles in the area were set ablaze amid the protests.

**Looking Ahead**

The decision by BVFF to defer the festival not only underscores the magnitude of the loss but also highlights how deeply Zubeen Garg’s legacy has resonated within Assam’s creative community. This pause is more than just postponement—it is a collective moment of mourning for a figure whose impact transcended the stage.

Further details regarding the rescheduled festival dates and refund processes are expected to be announced in the coming months.

—

**Also Read:** [Zubeen Garg’s Manager Arrested in Singer’s Death Case]

Stay tuned for more updates on Bollywood and regional entertainment news.
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/zubeen-garg-death-brahmaputra-valley-film-festival-postponed-assam-mourns-cultural-icon/

The Us@250 Experience

Pride. Reckoning. Aspiration.

As an American, you can experience all of these feelings at the same time: holding pride in our progress, reckoning with our problematic past, and aspiring for a better future.

This is at the heart of New America’s Us@250 initiative—an effort to deepen our understanding of national identity by expanding the American narrative to include the rich, complex histories of all of us.

Ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, join New America this fall for robust conversations on these themes with policymakers, visual artists, community organizers, and more.

Together, we’ll explore the truths and contradictions about ourselves and our country through poetry, film, comedy, story, and music.

We’ll also ask big questions: Given the nation’s history, who might we become if we truly live up to its founding ideals? Who belongs here, and who will be welcome? And how can we make the promise of America available to all?
https://www.newamerica.org/new-america/events/the-us250-experience/

Rashmika Mandanna’s ‘The Girlfriend’ to release on November 7

**Rashmika Mandanna’s ‘The Girlfriend’ to Release on November 7, 2025**

By Isha Sharma | October 4, 2025, 3:54 PM

The much-anticipated film *The Girlfriend*, starring Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty, is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025. The announcement was made by Geetha Arts, the production house presenting the project.

The movie will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, ensuring a wide reach across diverse audiences.

### Promo Clip

Alongside the release date announcement, a promo video was shared. The clip features Mandanna engaged in an intense conversation with her boyfriend over a meal. Their exchange delves into the themes of relationship compatibility and the reasons why people enter into relationships.

### Film Crew

*The Girlfriend* is written and directed by Rahul Ravindran. The film’s music is composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab, while Krishnan Vasant handles the cinematography.

### Rashmika Mandanna’s Faith in the Film

Rashmika Mandanna has previously praised *The Girlfriend* and its director, Rahul Ravindran. In a heartfelt birthday post for him, she wrote:

> “You are too precious, my friend.. I still can’t believe you’ve made a film like *The Girlfriend*. The emotional depth you have, the niceness that you have in your heart, flows through every frame.”

She further described Ravindran as “a director, a friend, a mentor [and] a partner in crime for a lifetime who I trust wholly and immensely.”

With such strong backing and anticipation, audiences can look forward to an emotionally compelling cinematic experience when *The Girlfriend* releases this November.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/rashmika-mandanna-s-the-girlfriend-gets-release-date/story

Universal to reopen Stardust Racers ride two weeks after man’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Universal Orlando Resort plans to reopen its Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe more than two weeks after a 32-year-old man died of blunt force injuries following a ride on the high-speed roller coaster.

Signs will be updated to reinforce existing warnings and eligibility requirements to help visitors decide if they should go on the dual-launch coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph), Karen Irwin, president and chief operating officer at Universal Orlando Resort, said Friday in a memo to workers. The ride is scheduled to reopen on Saturday.

The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala had publicly urged Universal not to reopen the ride until all investigations were finished and they had a better understanding of how he died. The medical examiner for the Orlando area ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries and said the manner of death was an accident. The full autopsy report has not been made public.

Zavala had a spinal disability from birth and used a wheelchair, but his family’s attorneys stated that his disability did not cause his death on September 17.

Irwin said the ride at Universal’s newest theme park had undergone an extensive operational and technical review that confirmed the ride systems had functioned properly and that Universal workers had followed proper procedures. The ride systems manufacturer and an independent roller coaster engineering expert also conducted on-site testing, supporting Universal’s findings.

Separately, a woman sued Universal Orlando Resort last week, claiming she was injured on the ride. She stated the ride shook her violently and slammed her head into her seat’s headrest.

Attorneys for Zavala’s family said this week that others have reached out to them with similar stories about the ride, which officially opened in May with the debut of the new theme park.
https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/universal-to-reopen-stardust-racers-ride-two-weeks-after-mans-death/