When someone asks what could be the perfect F1 lineup would be among the current bunch of drivers? The simplest answer could be Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc and Verstappen/Hamilton.
People could also include George Russell and Lando Norris for their rising prominence. Meanwhile, adding Fernando Alonso is not a bad idea, but seeing his age, some could exclude him.
However, former F1 champion Mario Andretti has a different opinion. For him, the dream F1 lineup includes a driver who hasn’t even entered an F1 race throughout his life.
Also read: What happened to Michael Schumacher and how is he now?
Mario Andretti names Fernando Alonso and Colton Herta
For Andretti, his compatriot driver Colton Herta, who is currently competing in IndyCar, would make a dream F1 lineup with Alonso. A rare combination, but he tries to make sense of it.
Andretti explains that if Andretti motorsports enter F1, Herta would probably be their driver. They would need an experienced driver to partner with him, and Alonso is the right candidate.
“One of the drivers that 99% would be in the team is Colton Herta, but he would need someone with more experience at his side. This would make the team much more complete, and that is what is being discussed right now as part of the plan,” said Andretti.
Fernando Alonso overtakes Pierre Gasly (2021 Qatar Grand Prix)
— Aston Martin F1 updates (@startonpole) December 25, 2022
Failing to get into F1
Be it, Herta or Andretti. Both entities are finding it hard to be in F1. Over the last year, the talks between F1 and Andretti motorsports, which Michael Andretti headed, have failed.
Many teams like Red Bull and Mercedes have shown concerns over the 11th team joining the sport, leading them to share the same revenue with an added entity. On the other hand, even Herta failed to get a seat for 2023.
Herta was offered a seat at AlphaTauri to replace the outgoing Pierre Gasly. However, the American race driver was short of eight points for a superlicense.
Despite Red Bull pleading with the FIA to let him drive for their sister team, the governing body didn’t budge, and Herta had to give up on his 2023 F1 plans. In the end, Nyck de Vries got the seat which was earlier offered to the American driver.
Also read: Ayrton Senna had more accolades than Lewis Hamilton after 160 race starts, reveals Stats
