Bryan Herta wants his son Colton to get the Super License 'the fair way'

Among the Hertas, there is no privilege that holds. Bryan Herta put his fatherly love aside when judging the possibility that his son Colton to enter Formula 1 in 2023 with Alpha Tauri, thanks to a reduction in the criteria for obtaining the Super License.

The former pilot and current strategist of the son in IndyCar with the Andretti stable would obviously like to see his offspring evolve into F1 next season, but under conditions. “The only thing I would say is that Colton deserves a chance in Formula 1 one day, he declared on the microphone of NBC Sports at Laguna Seca, scene of the finale of IndyCar's 2022 campaign. When this will be the case, I don't know.

But I think it would be unfair for him to arrive as a special case. It must be admitted (in F1) in compliance with the rules and in a fair manner. If you go, do so according to FIA rules. If they re-evaluate how they get Super License points in IndyCar, that's one thing. But the rules are the rules. »

ALSO READ > The Super License, how does it work?

Bryan Herta made it a point to point out that his family was not lobbying the International Automobile Federation. There are indeed persistent rumors of a Super License exemption for Colton Herta. Insistently anticipated by AlphaTauri where he would replace a Pierre Gasly leaving for Alpine, the American Colton Herta does not yet have the essential key to driving in Formula 1: the famous Super License, granted after obtaining 40 points in the other categories. The IndyCar driver, youngest winner in the North American championship (at 18 years, 11 months, and 25 days in 2019, Editor's note), should see only 34 before the start of the 2023 season.

Colton Herta finished 7th in IndyCar in 2019 (4 points), 3rd in IndyCar in 2020 (20 points) and 5th in IndyCar in 2021 (8 points). The American therefore currently has 32 points. Herta is currently 8th in IndyCar (3 points), which would be its worst result over the last 4 years (2022 included). His best total would therefore remain at 34 points in 2023.

When a driver obtains a minimum total of 40 points, he can finally claim the Super License. Final criterion: you must have traveled at least 300 kilometers on board a car of Formula 1. These kilometers can be covered during free practice on race weekends, or during private tests organized by the team.

Will @ColtonHerta make it a @WeatherTechRcwy hat trick this weekend? Time to find out…🏆#AllAndretti pic.twitter.com/kcHdVzNQca

— Andretti INDYCAR & INDY NXT (@AndrettiIndy) September 9, 2022

He could increase his savings by participating in different Free Practice 1 sessions but the account would still not be there. Red Bull seems confident of being able to overcome this formality if necessary. The Austrian giant believes it can prove the eligibility of the young American (22 years old), who benefits from a testing program with McLaren this season.

“It might be unfair to other people, too, said Bryan Herta. It's difficult to open these doors to F1. I understand. We are not involved in this conversation (to modify the Super License scale). It's up to the FIA ​​to worry about that. »