There was, however, one major issue: Herta didn’t have a super license.
Herta is undoubtedly one of the most talented drivers in the IndyCar field. Despite finishing 9th in the 2022 season due to shoddy reliability and some poorly timed accidents, the Andretti Autosport driver has shown his class on countless occasions throughout his five seasons, garnering seven race wins and nine pole positions. His pace is undeniable and hes a proven race winner in one of the world’s top single seater series, so why doesn’t he qualify for a super license?
To discuss this issue, it is important to first establish what an FIA super license actually is. A super license is effectively what it says on the tin: a racing license which allows a driver to race in Formula One. It is awarded after a driver has accumulated 40 points, which can be accumulated through the completion of various feeder series.
This is the point at which controversy arises. Despite being a widely respected international championship, IndyCar is worth less super license credit than Formula 2, F1’s highest feeder series. While a third place finish in Formula 2 would earn a driver enough points to compete in Formula One full time, the same placing in IndyCar would only earn 20 points, just half of what would be necessary to earn a super license, although IndyCar is contested at a much higher level in a far more accomplished field.
The hypocrisy has been further exposed this year by Williams’ decision to give Logan Sargent a 2023 race seat even though he didn’t yet have a super license when he was announced, having to rely on extra practice sessions to earn the remaining points.
In the wake of the Colton Herta saga, in which Red Bull politely asked the FIA to make an exception and were roundly ignored, drivers and team staff have called for reform to the super license system.
Chief among these has been Zak Brown, who also has a finger in the IndyCar pie, helping to operate McLaren F1’s sister team in IndyCar. He is also an unapologetic Herta fan.
“If someone like Colton [Herta] who’s won a lot of IndyCar races isn’t eligible for a superlicense, then I think we need to review the super license system,” he told crash.net. “If you go back and look, there are a couple of guys, world champions who wouldn’t have got their super license in today’s environment.”
Pato O’Ward, one of Zak Brown’s IndyCar prodigies, has backed up his comments, stating to motorsport.com that “To me it’s ridiculous that someone that’s been fourth and third in the IndyCar championship can’t get 40 points in the super license. I think many drivers agree with me.”