IndyCar: Colton Herta sees Formula 1 chances slipping away

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Although Michael Andretti’s effort to enter a Formula 1 team in 2025 with Cadillac appears close to being approved, the American driver he hoped to take to Formula 1, Colton Herta, does not qualify to drive in the series.

Herta does not have enough Formula Super License points because he has not finished high enough in a recent IndyCar championship to get the points he needs to qualify.

And if recent performances are any indication, it’s not looking good. Herta is quick, but he and his team have been inconsistent.

Herta admits he found Sunday’s disappointing IndyCar result at Mid-Ohio “difficult to process” after starting from pole for the 2nd race in a row.

He and his Andretti team just cannot deliver enough top finishes for Herta to get enough F1 Super License points.

Herta caused his own downfall on Sunday when he got caught speeding in the pits, though he wasn’t going to beat IndyCar’s best driver, Alex Palou anyway.

“Disappointing day,” he admitted afterward. “We just seemed to move backwards during the race and unfortunately, we had a pit lane incident.

“I didn’t quite get the pit lane speed limit which gave us a drive-through penalty that threw us back.

“It is difficult to process the results of this race after starting P1. Hopefully, we can turn it around in Toronto.”

Palou is too good to be an IndyCar driver, and he is destined for Formula 1, having already signed a contract with McLaren for 2024. Palou has already obtained an F1 driver’s License.

If Herta never qualifies to be an F1 driver, then what American, if any, will Michael Andretti take to Formula 1.