Formula 1: 3 drivers who could be the next F1 rookies
Possible Formula 1 rookies: No. 2 – Colton Herta
Any chance of Colton Herta having a Formula 1 seat with McLaren in 2023 was essentially crushed after Daniel Ricciardo committed to finishing his contract. McLaren CEO Zak Brown said earlier that he had no intentions of moving or releasing Ricciardo, which confirmed that both parties were committed to the contract that pulled Ricciardo from Renault in 2021.
However, if Ricciardo’s woes continue into 2023, Brown would be left with no choice but to look for a new teammate for Lando Norris.
Enter Herta, who currently races for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar. His 2022 campaign has returned strong results, placing him eighth in the championship standings with one win.
Herta had been rumored to take Ricciardo’s spot next season before Brown announced that the team would keep him another year. He recently drove the McLaren car in a two-day test in Portugal, putting up impressive numbers.
Herta, who is just 22 years old, is looking to become the sole American driver in Formula 1. The last American to race in Formula 1 was Alexander Rossi, who moved to IndyCar in 2016.