Red Bull have confirmed that Colton Herta is set to join Scuderia AlphaTauri next year, with Pierre Gasly to move to Alpine.
The IndyCar driver has been tipped for a move to Formula 1 in recent months, with McLaren emerging as his most likely destination.
However, the Woking-based team recently announced Oscar Piastri as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement for 2023.
But, it still looks likely that Herta will be on the Formula 1 grid in 2022, provided the FIA makes an exception and gives him a Super Licence despite him looking set to not reach the current points threshold.
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Confirming Herta’s move to Scuderia AlphaTauri during the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Dr Helmut Marko emphasised that this is contingent on the FIA granting him a Super Licence.
“Astonishingly enough, all of the parties and teams involved, we found an agreement,” the Austrian told SpeedCity Broadcasting.
“First, we have to get a definite answer [from the FIA] and I think it should be by Monza – Monza I would say.”
Asked if Gasly’s switch to Alpine is unrelated to Herta’s deal to join AlphaTauri, Dr Marko stressed that the Frenchman’s move to the Enstone-based team will be confirmed as soon as the FIA grants Herta a Super Licence.
“No, if the deal works then it happens in Monza, also for Pierre of course.
“We looked at the regulations, we discussed it with the FIA, and because of Covid there’s a special regulation that you can take three years [from four] and also if one result isn’t maximum points and outside the driver’s [hands] they can give the points.
“So it’s nothing unreasonable. He won seven IndyCar races and that’s comparable to a grand prix I think, so it would be a shame if he wouldn’t get a Super Licence.”
Alpine has been approached for comment by Formula1News.co.uk, but they are yet to confirm that they have agreed to sign Gasly should Herta be eligible to race in Formula 1 in 2023.
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The Frenchman has had a frustrating career with Red Bull and their sister team.
Despite a number of standout performances upon his return to Scuderia Toro Rosso – now called AlphaTauri – Gasly was overlooked, with Red Bull opting to extend Sergio Perez’s contract.
It is understood that he doesn’t have a good relationship with Esteban Ocon, whom he looks set to partner next year, but it seems Alpine don’t believe this will come in the way of the pair delivering strong results for the team.