Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti believes there’s something wrong if “that Russian kid” can get a superlicence and a driver like Colton Herta can’t.
Andretti is referring to Haas driver Nikita Mazepin, who is the subject of a fan backlash, much of it stemming from his conduct off-track, but also his performances in the opening two races in his rookie campaign.
Andretti, who won the Formula 1 title in 1978, believes Herta, who races for the Andretti Autosport team in IndyCar and claimed a dominant win on Sunday at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete, is talented enough for a seat with a top F1 team.
The 81-year-old is certain a driver such as Herta competing in motorsport’s premier class would boost F1’s popularity in the US.
“I’m pushing like hell for Colton,” he told Motorsport.com. “You’ve got to remember, Colton went to race in England when he was 15 years old, all by himself. That’s always been his objective [to get to F1] but he’s very quiet and unassuming, he’s not pushy, but I see a quality there – a Formula 1 quality.
“He’s 21, so it’s a great time, and I realise the lack of testing and licence restrictions. But, I mean, that Russian kid gets a superlicence, and the guy who’s at the very top level over here can’t get one? There’s something wrong there!”
Mazepin acquired enough points to acquire a superlicence thanks to finishing second in the GP3 Series in 2018 and fifth in FIA Formula 2 last year.
Whilst IndyCar is the second-highest ranked series in the FIA’s superlicence points system, Herta is four points shy of the 40 required, having collected 12 points in 2018 for his Indy Lights runner-up spot, four in 2019 for seventh in IndyCar and 20 in 2020 for finishing third.
Andretti says an American driver producing race-winning results would send F1’s popularity in America “crazy”.
“We’d need the American driver with a top team, not in the back with no chance. If you could get an American driver in F1, producing results, you’d have America going crazy for F1.”
America has not had a representative on the Formula 1 grid since Alexander Rossi’s brief stint with the backmarker Manor Marussia squad in 2015.
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