Herta's Formula 1 fate is in the hands of the FIA, which has the power to grant exemption for drivers without enough Super License points.
- Herta has emerged as a candidate for an AlphaTauri seat in Formula 1.
- However Herta lacks the 40 points that are required by the FIA in order to earn a Super Licence that would allow him to compete in F1.
- The FIA has the power to grant an exemption to allow Herta to race in F1.
AlphaTauri says it is hoping for a quick resolution as to whether Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, will grant a Super Licence to Colton Herta.
Herta has emerged as a candidate for an AlphaTauri seat in the event that an agreement is reached between Alpine and Red Bull for Pierre Gasly’s services in 2023. However, Herta lacks the 40 points that are required by the FIA in order to earn a Super Licence. He is currently on 32, and there is not a method to reach 40 by the end of 2022.
There has not been a case of a driver being granted an exemption by the FIA since the system was introduced.
The FIA’s system is weighted in favor of its primary single-seater categories, mainly Formula 2, with points for IndyCar dropping significantly the lower a driver finishes in the order compared to some other series. For Herta to gain the eight points needed, for instance, he would need to finish fifth in the final NTT IndyCar Series standings. He’s currently 10th with just one race to go and will not be able to reach the points.
The system is complicated and sometimes seen as unfair. A fifth-place final season standing in Formula 2, for example, is worth 20 points, while a fifth-place standing in IndyCar is worth just eight points.
Speaking on Saturday, AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost outlined that “it’s a decision from the FIA whether he (Herta) gets the Super Licence or not. I hope that FIA will take this decision as soon as possible so that we know how to build up the team and where to go for next year.”
Tost went on to confirm that if Herta cannot be recruited then AlphaTauri expects Gasly to stay and see out his 2023 contract, likely alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
It is understood that the FIA is reluctant to make an exemption for Herta given the can of worms it risks opening.
Ferrari, which has a renowned junior academy that has brought the likes of Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher through to Formula 1 via titles in Formula 2 and Formula 3, firmly put its stake in the ground.
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is against any kind of Super License exemption for IndyCar driver Colton Herta.
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“I think force majeure cannot be used for Herta,” said Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto. “That will be a completely wrong approach.
“Regulations are in place in order to protect our sport and make sure that we’re making the right process and choices for our sport itself. So Herta may participate in the championship, (when) he’s got what are the requirements to do so and not differently. So I think that’s very important and we will certainly overview what FIA will do in that respect. And I think each single team will do so because it’s for the importance of our sport.
“We cannot have force majeure or whatever are the situations, which is not a force majeure, certainly in that case.”
There will be one Formula 1 rookie on the grid at Monza in the form of Nyck de Vries, who will step in to replace Alexander Albon at Williams after the Anglo-Thai suffered from appendicitis after Friday practice.
De Vries, speaking after testing for Aston Martin on Friday, outlined his view that an exemption for Herta would risk upsetting the FIA’s single-seater pyramid.
De Vries progressed up the FIA’s ladder, winning the 2019 Formula 2 championship, and is a candidate for a 2023 Williams seat, having also taken the 2020/21 Formula E title.
“I trust in the governing body, I think rules are there to be respected,” said De Vries, who has been Mercedes’ long-term reserve driver. “I think there are plenty of other drivers in the market who have the Super Licence points and the necessity is not necessarily that high to give someone a dispensation to get a Super Licence.
“Plus, in my opinion, it would give an incorrect precedent and example to F3 and F2. I think the knock-on effect would be much greater than just giving one dispensation as there will be many more knocking on a door for a certain request.
“You could argue people could decide to escape their way to the U.S. because in Indy Lights you have 12 cars on the grid and it’s much easier to score points and then you can come back… then you almost kill and jeopardize the ladder we’ve been building over the years, which is nice – it’s now almost like what you see in Moto3 and Moto2, it’s a clear ladder and path to Formula 1.”
Keyword: Why F1 Teams Are Against Colton Herta Super License Exemption