IndyCar star hits out at ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ representation over F1 super license 3 years after failed move
After finally earning his super license, Colton Herta criticized the FIA for its disrespectful representation of IndyCar on the world stage.
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Colton Herta, image via IMAGO
While F1 has been expanding rapidly in the USA, no team currently employs any driver of American origins. On the other hand, America was really close to getting its first F1 driver since Scott Speed in the late 2000s. The driver was Colton Herta.
Herta was trundled by one hurdle of not having enough super license points. The 24-year-old, who won the IndyCar race in Nashville to finally secure his super license, bemoaned about how underrepresented IndyCar is in the FIA ladder.
It's nice to have one, I guess. I think it's disrespectful for IndyCar how underrepresented it is. But these are all the things we know and we've talked about three years ago.Colton Herta said
In 2022, Red Bull was looking to gain a larger American fanbase. Horner & Co. intended on hiring an American F1 driver for the junior outfit Alphatauri (now RB/VCARB) and saw Colton Herta as their prime prospect for a seat. The discussion was well underway and he was assured about a seat with the Red Bull family.
However, the IndyCar driver did not have enough super license points owing to his relatively new CV. This cost him a chance to get into F1 and fulfill his dream of being an F1 driver. On the other hand, after a wait of three years, he has gotten enough points on his super license and is now eligible to become an F1 driver.
Herta explained how he finally got the super license but it is of no use for him right now. Moreover, he lamented FIA’s stance on IndyCar and requested for increasing the sport’s accessibility to other championship drivers.
Where does Colton Herta’s future lie then, if not in F1?
While amendments in the super license are not out of the ordinary as witnessed earlier this year, Herta was not granted the amendment when he required one. Regardless, he has grown out of the disappointment and has been excelling in IndyCar.
Moreover, he became the vice-champion of IndyCar this year after winning the race at Nashville. This has elevated his stance in the IndyCar field and has made him a favorite among teams to bid for.
However, the 24-year-old had signed a multi-year deal with Andretti Motorsport last year. This ensures that the vice-champion remains at the Indianapolis-based team till 2027, and make his championship charge in the following few years.
Apart from this, if Andretti enters entry into F1, Herta is understood to be the prime candidate for a seat. Thus, his prospects for a future F1 drive are still not over, though remaining on Andretti’s ability to get onto the grid.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)