Helmut Marko, a motorsport adviser to Red Bull F1, says the plan to use Colton Herta for Alpha Tauri F1 in 2023 is unlikely to come true, and the F1 super license system needs to be reconsidered.
Not only some F1 teams, but also F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) have taken strict measures to allow IndyCar driver Colton Herta to make his F1 debut at AlphaTauri in 2023. seemingly uninterested in bending the existing eligibility criteria.
Others suspect Pierre Gasly was “ill” and did not show up at the Monza circuit on Thursday to avoid media fervor over speculation about Corton Herta.
However, Red Bull F1 motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has suggested Colton Herta’s inability to step up to F1 is a flaw in the current system.
“The really fast racing cars are in IndyCar and Japanese Super Formula, where there is a lot of internal competition, which are clearly underestimated compared to the junior series,” Marko told Auto Motor und Sport.
But it’s also clear that Red Bull is only eyeing the exciting American market to replace Pierre Gasly because none of its junior drivers are ready to step up to F1.
Helmut Marko is reportedly disappointed with the Red Bull-backed F2 campaigns of Liam Lawson, Ewan Darbala and Yuri Bips.
Helmut Marko also said of Japanese Ayumu Iwasa: “He needs a second F2 season.”
The same can be said for F3’s Isaac Hajar, but Helmut Marko said he had high hopes for the 17-year-old Frenchman to become “a driver like Prost”.
For these reasons, Helmut Marko said the FIA is pushing for an exception for Colton Herta, who is clearly ready to step up to F1.
“Formula 1 will also be happy to have Americans,” said Helmut Marko.
But if Colton Herta doesn’t get the green light, meaning Pierre Gasly doesn’t move to Alpine, perhaps new F2 champion Felipe Dolgovic is the frontrunner for a seat in the Renault-owned Alpine F1 team.
While he is reportedly backed by one of Brazil’s big banks as well as Renault, Mercedes-backed Nick de Vries recently met with Alpine F1 team management at Zandvoort. They are seen having a conversation.
