How the FIA blocked Herta out-of-the-box F1 switch attempt
How the FIA blocked Herta out-of-the-box F1 switch attempt
Colton Herta sought a step down in class last season to secure enough super licence points for a switch to F1, it has been revealed.
The American was Red Bull's initial suitor to replace Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri when it became clear the Frenchman was Alpine's first choice to partner Esteban Ocon for the upcoming season.
But after dialogue with the FIA, it was deemed that no concessions could be made to usher IndyCar star Herta into a race seat and circumvent the super licence system.
However, it has been revealed that Herta sought various ways around the issue.
Speaking to the Racer to Racer podcast, former Canadian motorsports star Scott Goodyear, who now fills the race director role for the American F4 and Formula Regional championships, explained: "Our series provides super licence points because we are a training ground underneath the FIA rules and regulations.
"So F4, F3 - and it is rebranded FR in this country, Formula Regional Americas - F2 and F1.
"We offer super licence points for the drivers competing in our series. So if you win the Formula Regional series in this country, you are awarded more points than if you win the Indy Lights [now Indy NXT] championship.
"It is just the way it works because we are underneath the FIA."
READ MORE...Steiner - IndyCar stars ready for F1 switch despite Herta block
FR Americas "approved" Herta move
Detailing how Herta's father, and Goodyear's former competitor, Bryan's attempts to find a way into F1 were blocked by "FIA protocol", the Canadian added: "It is interesting because Bryan Herta called me in July, and he wanted to know if Colton could run in our FR series because he needed to get more super licence points.
"We were approving it from a series perspective, but he couldn't get clearance from the FIA to be able to run that and be given the opportunity to run in the series just to collect some points.
"So it is difficult, but the teams in FR were ecstatic because they thought someone of Colton's calibre was going to run and get a real chance to see how their abilities matched up."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- 22 minutes ago
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- 1 hour ago
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- 2 hours ago
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- 3 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- Today 17:57
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- Today 15:57
Related news
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
FIA CANCEL important drivers' meeting after huge drama in China
Ecclestone's wife signs letter of SUPPORT for under-fire FIA president
Hamilton hits out at F1 rule change after session wrecked
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860