“They don’t need to do 24 years in junior categories”: Max Verstappen sympathizes with FIA not allowing Colton Herta an F1 entry

Ahead of the 2023 season, Red Bull was planning to hire the IndyCar sensation Colton Herta for their AlphaTauri seat to replace Pierre Gasly. However, the FIA didn’t let it happen.

The American race driver lacks eight points in his superlicense points to be eligible for F1. The governing body didn’t even make an exception even after Red Bull pleaded for his case.

In the end, Red Bull and Herta had to move on. Considering the latter had to give his word to Andretti before a deadline, he couldn’t wait forever for the FIA to overturn their decision.

Also read: McLaren boss reveals why he chose rookie Oscar Piastri to replace Daniel Ricciardo over other experienced options

Max Verstappen sympathizes with Colton Herta

The Dutch race driver was asked about the harsh rejection of Herta by the F1. He claims that if one is talented enough, they don’t need to go through every junior category to earn enough points.

“I do think that for some drivers it is sometimes necessary, but when you have some really big talents, they don’t need to do 24 years in junior categories to get all those points,” said Verstappen to NBC Motorsport.

The 25-year-old feels it’s painful when a driver is denied to race in Formula 1. In the end, AlphaTauri signed Nyck de Vries after he impressed everyone in Monza with his excellent drive for Williams.

It was because of Verstappen that Herta had been denied a chance

Yes, it’s correct. As a consequence of Verstappen entering the F1, Herta has been denied his chance. The Dutchman’s entry into the sport was ground-shaking as he made his debut at the mere age of 17.

It propelled the governing body to make a move as it had set a precedent for non-adults to start racing in F1. Thus, the FIA increased the bare minimum superlicense points for eligibility to 40 while making it mandatory for F1 drivers to have a driving license and be above the age of 18.

So, if Verstappen had entered the sport a little late, Herta could have had a seamless entry to F1. But that’s how fate works. And it’s still not like an end to Herta’s chances to race in F1.

Michael Andretti for long has been eyeing his expansion to F1. If he succeeds in entering the sport, he’ll surely bring Herta with him, as he has claimed before.

Also read: Max Verstappen recalls father Jos’ harsh assessment for drivers finishing second in races

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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