Herta doesn't want to think about switching to Formula 1 just yet
F1 News
- GPblog.com
His name is being bandied around in the paddock, potentially becoming the first American driver in Formula One since Alexander Rossi in 2015. Since the deal between Piastri and Mclaren became official, Colton Herta's phone has been ringing nonstop. He has stopped reading the messages and has also asked his father, and also manager, to stop keeping him informed. The IndyCar driver has two races left and wants to focus on that. He does not want to talk about a switch to Formula 1 (yet).
“There's nothing I want to talk about right now. I just want to focus on these last two weekends and have a little bit of time to decompress and figure out what's going on during the offseason,” Herta said. The Associated Press,“and then we'll look at the options and see if I have any.”
Insufficient points for Super license
Herta still has a contract with Andretti's IndyCar team for next season, but they have already said that if Herta gets the chance to drive in Formula 1 he will not block it. But there is more to a move to Formula 1 than just getting a seat: the American does not have enough points on his licence to be allowed to race in Formula 1. The FIA could make an exception for Herta and grant him the Super License based on his experience and performance.
Herta is cautious and does not want to speculate too much. Because besides being allowed and able, he doesn't know if he wants to. He is happy where he is and doesn't want to drive in Formula 1 just to drive in Formula 1. He wants to have a goal. Otherwise, he'd just as soon stay in the IndyCar: "Nobody should be ashamed to be an IndyCar driver.”