A few dominoes, and an exemption, would need to fall into place, but the IndyCar star is in discussion for '23 seat.
- The Alpine Formula 1 team is targeting current AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly for its vacant F1 seat alongside Esteban Ocon.
- That move would only happen if AlphaTauri had a viable candidate lined up to take the spot vacated by Gasly.
- That’s where seven-time NTT IndyCar Series winner Colton Herta comes into the picture.
Red Bull is lining up American IndyCar driver Colton Herta for a 2023 AlphaTauri Formula 1 seat, though there remain a few hurdles that need to be cleared before everything can be tied up.
Alpine has zeroed in on Pierre Gasly for its vacant seat alongside Esteban Ocon and discussions were ongoing at Zandvoort, site of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, over freeing him from his AlphaTauri contract. That would only be possible if AlphaTauri had a viable candidate lined up to take the spot vacated by Gasly, and it appears that Herta is now emerging as the strong contender.
One sticking point remains the Super Licence points system, with Herta currently on 32, and 40 required to get the Super Licence, and there is no way Herta can reach 40 before 2023.
Super License points are awarded based on final standing in a series, and Herta is just 10th in IndyCar this season. Therefore an exemption needs to be reached. It would be absurd on the surface if one is not granted for a multiple IndyCar race winner who has clear potential, but a resolution still needs to be reached.
Colton Herta is a seven-time winner in the NTT IndyCar Series.
James GilbertGetty Images
Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, who decides driver matters, told Speed City Broadcasting on Sirius XM’s F1 post-race show that “we looked at the regulations, we discussed it with the FIA, and because of COVID there’s a special regulation that you can take three years (from four) and also if one result isn’t maximum points and outside the driver’s (hands) they can give the points. It’s nothing unreasonable. He won seven IndyCar races and that’s comparable to a Grand Prix.”
Marko added that an agreement in principle is in place between respective parties and suggested an announcement could come as soon as next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner was also excited by the prospect of Herta.
“I think he’s an exciting talent and you know he’s young and American, he’s been a standout talent in the U.S., it would be very interesting to see how he performs in Formula 1,” he said. “Formula 1 obviously has got growing popularity in the U.S. market at the moment, and to have a successful U.S. driver could be very interesting for us in the longer term.”
Keyword: Colton Herta Emerges As Candidate for F1 Seat with AlphaTauri