Mario Andretti names the IndyCar driver definitely in frame for Cadillac F1 seat
Former Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti has been hired as a director of the new General Motors team, likely under their Cadillac brand, and will have significant sway over their driver decisions
Mario Andretti said he is "definitely" considering offering Colton Herta the chance to race in Formula 1.
The American IndyCar driver has been close to landing a seat in F1 before. In 2022, after Pierre Gasly announced he was leaving the Red Bull family for a fresh start with Alpine, the energy drinks giant eyed Herta for that vacant seat at their sister squad.
However, he did not have enough points for a superlicence at the time. Red Bull asked the FIA to grant them special dispensation to sign the American anyway, but that request was denied and they signed Nyck de Vries instead, who went on to be axed the following year after just 10 races.
Drivers need 40 points to earn a superlicence and Herta has 32 in total from his IndyCar results over the last three seasons. He would need to finish fourth or better in the American racing series next year in order to qualify for a superlicence in time for 2026., when General Motors plans to enter F1.
Andretti has made it clear that he wants that to happen. Even though his son Michael has been denied the chance to create his own F1 team, 1978 champion Mario is still involved in the plot to form the 11th outfit on the grid, having been hired as a director of the General Motors team.
As part of his responsibilities in that role, the 84-year-old will have a say in who races for the squad. And, asked by NBC News whether Herta would be a priority, he replied: "Right now, I think yes. He is definitely one that is considered."
He went on to suggest there will be a wealth of options at Cadillac's disposal as "there are more drivers available than teams at the moment". Andretti explained: "I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver - nationality does not matter - and then a young American talent."
In a separate interview with Motorsport.com, Andretti explained how Herta had always been at the forefront of his mind from the early stages of the project, back when it was planned to be a joint entry between Andretti Global and General Motors.
He said: "From the beginning of this project, the team always looked at the prospect of Colton Herta to be one of the drivers. As far as I know, this is something we had not discussed lately because there is time, that still remains a priority.
"I am sure that is the direction he would like to go. He trained there. He raced alongside the likes of, just to say one, Lando Norris, who is obviously very prominent now with McLaren. And so, he is from that era, if you will, still, young and vibrant and ready to go."
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