P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Colton Herta has admitted he came mighty close to signing a contract with F1 giant Red Bull in 2023 and revealed why he didn’t
IndyCar star and F1 hopeful Colton Herta revealed he nearly signed with Red Bull’s sister team, Alpha Tauri, now Racing Bulls. Herta switched to Formula 2 this year to earn enough FIA super licence points for F1.
The 26-year-old is a test driver for new team Cadillac and will have four FP1 appearances, starting at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June. With 35 super licence points, Herta is eligible for FP1 sessions this season.
Herta discussed the close call on the Beyond the Grid podcast, where he praised Dr. Helmut Marko’s straightforward approach. Despite a real possibility of an F1 contract, Herta had to return to IndyCar due to licensing issues.
Herta appreciated the support he received during the uncertain period and acknowledged the importance of having options in both Formula 1 and IndyCar. It was a challenging time, filled with day-to-day uncertainty, but Herta remains grateful for the guidance he received.
