Herta was being lined up by Red Bull to take a seat at AlphaTauri for 2023, with the squad open to an offer from Alpine to take currently contracted Pierre Gasly.
However, the energy drinks giant’s plans rested on Herta being granted the mandatory F1 superlicence that he needs to compete in grand prix racing.
F1’s regulations require him to have 40 superlicence points from other categories and, at the end of the 2022 campaign, he only had 32 under his belt.
But with his race-winning form in IndyCar, and success in other series which included being runner-up in the Indy Lights title chase in 2018, Red Bull felt he had the necessary skills and experience to race in F1.
One argument that he deserved dispensation was that his final season in Indy Lights would have given him the necessary points for the superlicence if the championship had had a bigger entry – something which was outside of Herta’s control.
However, amid some unease from F1 teams about the impact that Herta being granted an exemption would have on other junior categories, the matter became hugely political.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto had been outspoken at the Italian Grand Prix when he said: “I think force majeure cannot be used for Herta. That will be a completely wrong approach. Regulations are in place in order to protect our sport and make sure that we’re making the right process and choices for our sport itself.”
Colton Herta, Andretti Autosport w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda
Photo by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
Those comments prompted a response from the FIA about it not bowing to external pressures on any decision it might take.
“The FIA will not be pressured by any teams into decisions on matters such as superlicence points. The FIA President has implemented robust governance, and we will abide by that,” said a spokesman.
Amid growing indications, however, that the FIA would reject the application, Red Bull elected itself to abandon the chase of Herta for now.
Herta will instead see out the final year of his contract at Andretti in IndyCar in 2023 before considering his next steps.
While Herta was aware that his F1 dream was over for now, the FIA has formally announced that the application for a superlicence exemption was rejected.
An FIA Spokesperson said: “The FIA confirms that an enquiry was made via the appropriate channels that led to the FIA confirming that the driver Colton Herta does not have the required number of points to be granted an FIA superlicence.
“The FIA continuously reviews its regulations and procedures, including with respect to superlicence eligibility, with the main factors being considered with respect to this topic being safety, experience and performance in the context of the pathway.”
Ricciardo open to year out of F1 to take ‘two steps forward’ in 2024
Alpine: 100-race F1 plan not derailed by losses of Alonso and Piastri
FIA clears up F1 grid penalty rules in wake of recent Monza chaos
How carbon fibre technology is shaping F1’s new era
The one thing that can’t be sacrificed amid Red Bull’s F1 overspend controversy
Red Bull had planned DTM outing for F1 aspirant Colton Herta
Herta doesn’t want to be “an exception” over F1 superlicence
What will it take to get American drivers in Formula 1?
Marko: De Vries should be AlphaTauri F1’s team leader in 2023
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko believes AlphaTauri hire Nyck de Vries will be the team’s leader from the start of his 2023 Formula 1 debut season, despite his rookie status.
32nd Palm Beach Cavallino Classic honors Ferrari’s Legacy at Le Mans
On January 28, the lawns of The Breakers will host 24 Ferraris that competed in the iconic 24-hour endurance race.
FIA clears up F1 grid penalty rules in wake of recent Monza chaos
The FIA has responded to the chaos surrounding grid penalties at this year’s Italian Grand Prix to make Formula 1’s rules clearer with immediate effect.
FIA vows to publish F1 Japanese GP crane incident report
The FIA has completed its investigation into the timing and use of the recovery vehicles at Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix and revealed that “procedural issues” were to blame.
The “borderline” team compromise that staved off an F1 crisis
Formula 1’s budget cap was heralded as a radical advance, the saviour of smaller teams, and the pathway to a brighter commercial future for all. So why were so many teams so keen to either break it or negotiate a raise? As MARK GALLAGHER reveals, it’s not just about the cost of crash repairs.
Mika Hakkinen: An F1 life in pictures
At the turn of the century Formula 1 became the Mika and Michael show as Mika Hakkinen claimed two world championships by going wheel-to-wheel with Michael Schumacher. Over a collection of images from his F1 career, the Flying Finn shares some cherished memories with MAURICE HAMILTON about his route to the top, annoying Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, and that overtake in Spa…
The one thing that can’t be sacrificed amid Red Bull’s F1 overspend controversy
OPINION: The FIA revealed this week that Red Bull breached Formula 1’s cost cap, throwing the team into controversy. But why did its calculation put it several million dollars below the cost cap limit when the FIA deemed it to be over? And what will the governing body do as a sanction? What happens next could have vital implications for the very future of the world championship
The steps the FIA must take to restore its authority inside and outside F1
OPINION: After Spa and Abu Dhabi in 2021, Formula 1 has another saga to address after the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. And it’s one that centres on the decisions of motorsport’s governing body, which is having what good it does do damaged in the court of public opinion. Here are some steps that would address this and hopefully satisfy all parties
How to relieve Formula 1’s extreme wet-weather caution
With three Formula 1 races having been disrupted by rain so far this season, the series has been made to look excessively cautious in the way it dealt with wet conditions. But what can be done to alleviate disruption like that which was seen in Suzuka?
Why weather isn’t a true F1 leveller
After a wet couple of Formula 1 rounds in Singapore and Japan, it is timely that PAT SYMONDS investigates the true effect of weather on car performance in F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Two drivers earn maximum scores in Motorsport.com’s driver ratings as Formula 1 made its long-awaited return to Japan. In the tricky conditions that greeted the grid at one of grand prix racing’s grandee circuits, here’s who impressed and who flattered to deceive
The controversy that should never overshadow Verstappen’s Suzuka magic
The Japanese Grand Prix had a little bit of everything – for the right and the wrong reasons. From a recovery vehicle on-track controversy to both points and penalty confusion, Formula 1 went through a difficult afternoon at a soaking Suzuka, but none of which can discredit Max Verstappen’s latest masterclass to make him a worthy 2022 world champion
