Colton Herta will not go to Red Bull
Red Bull has finally decided to abandon Colton Herta's track in order to have him drive for AlphaTauri next year. The young American will continue in IndyCar next season with Andretti.
Colton Herta will not sign with Red Bull. While the team was doing everything to help the driver obtain the super license despite his insufficient number of points, the team has decided to abandon this path.
The main cause is this super license which is difficult to obtain without the 40 points. With an exemption, there would be a form of injustice towards the other drivers from different championships.
With only 32 units to his credit, the American cannot hope to obtain the 40 points at the end of the season. He will not be able to obtain the super license and the privilege to drive an F1 car despite the upcoming tests he will be conducting.
The only way was the intervention of the FIA, which had to grant him the super license as a force majeure. But in recent weeks, it seemed very unlikely that it would happen for him.
Red Bull failed to get what they wanted, while Alpine helped them to obtain what they wanted. Colton Herta was supposed to drive in an Alpine in Budapest to prove his level and ability to become an F1 driver next year.
It’s a shame that people don’t realize the value that an American driver, especially someone like Colton Herta, can bring. He could have made a really significant impact in Formula 1, especially considering there are three races next year in the US! explained Helmut Marko, the director of driver development at Red Bull.
All this affair weighs on the American who didn’t know where he was going next year. An uncertain future that he couldn’t envision. The Andretti team was also awaiting the final decision to determine whether they should replace him or not.
The absence of Herta joining Red Bull, however, does not hinder Pierre Gasly’s move to Alpine. But before leaving, Red Bull’s management will have to find a substantial replacement to fill the spot of the Frenchman.
The Red Bull Academy drivers wouldn’t be ready yet and it won’t be one of them who will have the opportunity to drive for AlphaTauri.
Mick Schumacher, whose future at Haas is uncertain, is also not expected to be an option for Red Bull. The executives are simply waiting to see the opportunities that arise in order to choose the best possible driver.
