Current IndyCar driver and former Formula 1 driver Alexander Rossi has shared his anger over the FIA’s superlicence system, which has forced AlphaTauri to halt their pursuit for highly talented American Colton Herta.
Herta is one of the hottest prospects in motorsport, currently, having won seven IndyCar races despite being only 22-years-old.
The American is possibly one of the greatest talents to have come out of the country in recent years, with the IndyCar driver possessing all the skills to suit a drive in Formula 1.
Herta caught the eye of Red Bull as a replacement for Pierre Gasly at sister side AlphaTauri, should the Frenchman depart the Faenza-based team for Alpine.
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AlphaTauri’s attention has now switched to Nyck de Vries, as the FIA refused to budge on their superlicence system, for which IndyCar isn’t included.
The current system only allocates points to drivers racing in FIA championships, for which IndyCar isn’t.
No points are therefore offered in the IndyCar series, something which is an issue for Herta.
The American has tested for McLaren recently, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown certain that the superlicence system “needs to be reviewed”.
With the system being the way it is, only IndyCar drivers who have previously amounted points whilst racing in an FIA championship would be able to make the switch.
Rossi is the last American to have raced in Formula 1, something he did in for Manor in 2015 on four occasions (before the system was introduced).
The current system has created a huge stumbling block for American drivers, something which should arguably be addressed given the fact that there will be three races in the United States next season.
Rossi released a statement on Twitter expressing his frustration at the ridiculous system, which is “costing Colton the opportunity”.
“The whole premise of it was to stop people from buying their way into F1 and allowing talent to be the motivating factor,” said Rossi.
“That’s great.
“We all agree Colton has the talent and capability to be in F1. That’s also great and he should get that opportunity if it’s offered to him. Period.
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“Motorsport still remains as the most high profile sport in the world where money can outweigh talent.
“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.”