'Elitist' F1 slammed for snubbing American ace

IndyCar seasoned Graham Rahal has deed retired astatine Formula 1 for its "elitist" stance towards American drivers aft efforts to unafraid Colton Herta a licence dispensation were abandoned.

The youngest IndyCar Series contention victor has been the taxable of aggravated speculation that helium would onshore astatine Red Bull's sister squad AlphaTauri.

However, the 22-year-old did not person the indispensable points to get an FIA Super Licence needed to vie successful Formula 1.

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Herta presently has 32 points but needs 40 to qualify.

The system, governed by the FIA, has received scrutiny of precocious with suggestions Herta is bully capable to vie successful Formula 1 and that his IndyCar results are underrepresented.

The Californian finished a career-best 3rd successful the 2020 IndyCar Series for Andretti Autosport and has 7 contention wins.

Colton Herta was tipped to marque a determination from IndyCar to Formula 1 with AlphaTauri. (Chris Owens)

On Friday, Red Bull conceded it had fixed up connected chasing a dispensation for Herta, prompting a terse effect from Rahal.

"Damn right. F1 is an elitist sport," helium wrote successful effect to a Tweet calling retired the deficiency of involvement successful American drivers by Formula 1.

"They don't privation us. Remember that. They privation US companies' money, they privation affluent US individuals' money.

"But they don't attraction astir the rest. Always has been that way, ever volition be.

IndyCar ace Colton Herta had been tipped to marque a astonishment F1 power to AlphaTauri. (Red Bull Content Pool)

"And for those who privation to accidental that Colton Herta didn't "earn" the right. You're disconnected base," helium added successful different Tweet.

"He's arsenic talented if not much than the rest. He's a proven winner. He came to the top, and has done exceptionally well.

"F1 has had thrust buyers for years who don't clasp a candle to (Herta). FACTS!"

Red Bull advisor Helmet Marko told Motorsport-Total helium was near bemused by the process, describing the determination not to grant a dispensation arsenic "incomprehensible."

Colton Herta has 7 IndyCar wins to his credit. (Joe Skibinski)

He argued Formula 1 should invited an American driver, particularly with a 3rd expansive prix acceptable to instrumentality spot successful 2023 which takes successful portion of the Las Vegas Strip.

Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, Formula 1 has raced annually astatine Circuit of the Americas successful Texas since 2012.

The title expanded its American footprint successful 2022 with the Miami Grand Prix adjacent to Hard Rock Stadium.

"It's a shame that radical don't realise what worth an American driver, particularly a feline similar Colton Herta, would person for the booming American market, particularly with 3 F1 races," Marko said.

It means Herta volition proceed racing for Andretti Autosport successful 2023 alongside Romain Grosjean, Kyle Kirkwood and Devlin DeFrancesco.

What it means for AlphaTauri remains unclear. The Faenza-based outfit has Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda connected its books.

Gasly has been tipped to determination to Alpine, though that was initially connected the proviso that AlphaTauri signed Herta.

It's not wholly retired of the question that Gasly makes a move. 

Nyck de Vries (Williams, front) during the Italian expansive prix past weekend. (ANP via Getty Images)

It has been reported Red Bull is not funny successful promoting 1 of its inferior drivers successful Formula 2, including Liam Lawson, Jehan Daruvala, Ayumu Iwasa and Dennis Hauger.

Another enactment could beryllium Nyck De Vries, who made his Formula 1 debut successful spot of Alex Albon aft helium fell sick with appendicitis astatine the Italian Grand Prix.

De Vries is thought to person met with Marko this week. It would beryllium an unthinkable turnaround for the Formula 2 champion who looked improbable to people a thrust successful 2023 until his points-paying debut.

In what is 1 of the silliest silly seasons successful years, the Dutch operator has been linked to seats astatine AlphaTauri, Alpine and Williams.

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