The American star inching closer to F1
One of America's top Indycar drivers could join the F1 grid if a new American team comes to fruition.
You probably heard this week about the new Formula 1 team being set up in the US.
Andretti Global announced a few days ago that it will partner with the largest carmaker in the US, General Motors, to create an “all-American” F1 team carrying the Cadillac name.
It still has a few hurdles to clear - like getting approval from F1 - but if Andretti Cadillac Racing does come to fruition, the team is very keen to have an American driver.
The Andretti boss, former F1 racer Michael Andretti, doubled down this week, saying:
“We definitely have plans to have an American driver. I think you all know who is leading the pack on that one.”
Here, Andretti is referring to young phenomenon, Colton Herta.
The 22-year-old American races for Andretti Autosport in Indycar, America’s premier open-wheel racing series.
In 65 races over the past five years, he captured 7 wins and also finished the 2020 championship in 3rd.
In 2019, he won his first race at the Circuit of the Americas and it made him the youngest Indycar winner ever.
When I search his name on Youtube, the first video that comes up is one called “The Max Verstappen of Indycar”.
McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown previously said that Herta is more accomplished than some current F1 drivers.
He has definitely already impressed the F1 fraternity.
Herta held talks with AlphaTauri about a 2023 race seat and he also got a private test with McLaren last year in Portugal, completing 262 laps.
After the test, McLaren boss Andreas Seidl said Herta impressed him.
Herta told F1.com: “Hopefully I get some more chances in the car.”
Does Herta have a chance in F1 with Andretti Cadillac?
The team is not yet a foregone conclusion - and there is no timeline yet on when they want to join.
Mercedes and Red Bull have previously expressed fears that an 11th team would mean less prize money for everyone else.
But, those fears were expressed before Andretti got General Motors signed up.
The question now is whether such a large manufacturer will quell the fears of Mercedes and Red Bull.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said early in 2022 that he would back a new team if it brought in more money than it would cost.
To close off this article, here’s the view of the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is keen to welcome a new team.
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