Colton Herta only needed eight points to qualify for a Formula 1 superlicence, which would've enabled him to race on the grid next year. But as it was looking increasingly unlikely that he would get them before the end of this year, Herta's talks with Red Bull about joining AlphaTauri for 2023 have now collapsed. Top drivers in IndyCar and junior formula team owners that ran Herta have weighed in on the situation, describing F1 as an "elitist sport" while also taking aim at the FIA's points-based system that enables drivers to qualify for a superlicence. Indy 500 champion and two-time Grand Prix starter Alexander Rossi believes "past decisions" made by the governing body is what cost the opportunity for Herta. Rossi said on Twitter: "What is disappointing and in my opinion, the fundamental problem, is that the sporting element so often took a backseat to the business side that there had to be a method put in place in order for certain teams to stop taking drivers solely based on their financial backing. "Ultimately these past decisions, whether out of greed or necessity, is what cost Colton the opportunity to make the decision for himself as to if he wanted to alter career paths and race in F1. Not points on a license." Fellow IndyCar driver, Graham Rahal, added: "F1 is an elitist sport. They don’t want us. Remember that. They want US companies money, they want wealthy US individuals money. But they don’t care about the rest. Always has been that way, always will be."
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pic.twitter.com/ghFBxjksLV — Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) September 17, 2022
Carlin: "bad form" from the FIA not to allow Herta to race in F1
Trevor Carlin, who ran both Herta and Lando Norris, believes that it has been "bad form" from the FIA to now allow Herta dispensation to race in F1. The American used to race for Carlin in Euroformula Open, finishing third overall in the championship in 2016.
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We at @CarlinRacing had the great pleasure of having @ColtonHerta and @LandoNorris in the same team at the same time it was obvious to us that both were destined for greatness , it is very bad form from the @fia to not allow him to show his abilities on the greatest stage . — Trevor Carlin (@TrevorCarlin) September 17, 2022
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