F1 searches for the ultimate puzzle piece for US success: an American driver | right Now

It’s a tough road: to get into Formula 1 as a non-European driver, very young drivers have to move to Europe and go to the boarding ranks there. Australians do, Asians do, but you don’t see American drivers very often.

The United States has its own strong motorsport culture. It is primarily carried by NASCAR and IndyCar, with a large selection of racing formats hanging below.

Many young drivers go to the mud. on a little dirt oval track They are prepared for NASCAR with endless circuits.

The US also has its own beginner’s classes for individual seats, a route taken for example by Rinus ‘VeeKay’ van Kalmthout. Hoofddorper has done it so well that he is now a successful IndyCar driver. Normally, it’s not just the road to Formula 1.

Many NASCAR drivers get out of the race in the mud.

“All young employers want to enter Formula 1”

However, the popularity of the royal class also began to take over the American racing youth. Former NASCAR Champion Kevin Harvick has noticed a change, something he wants to warn about in his own sport, but also IndyCar.

“All the guys I talk to on the track these days all want to get into Formula 1 and drive a Ferrari or Red Bull,” Harvick said. NBC installed.

If they want to make it happen, American talent should move to Europe. “This path is becoming more and more popular,” Harvick said. Afraid of skimming talent.

“Most of the drivers and their parents don’t make it in the end, the chance is zero. So they quit racing disappointed. Because of that, we lost them too. We lost a lot of great talent in American racing. It would be very nice if such outstanding talent ended up in NASCAR.”

Three contenders are already close to the fire

If the change noted by Harvick continues, the chance of a successor to Alexander Rossi will increase. He was the last American Formula 1 driver in 2015. Rossi also went via the European road.

There are currently two Americans on this road who stand a “fairly” realistic chance of Formula 1: Logan Sargent and Jack Crawford. Along with IndyCar star Colton Herta, they are currently the top three contenders. We list them.

Logan Sargent (formula 2): As part of Williams’ training, the Florida-born sergeant sits near a fire. His honor roll doesn’t fully support that.

The 21-year-old has spent three years in Formula 3, and his second season, 2020, by far, was his most successful. Sargent rode with the top Prima team and competed at the front with famous top talents Oscar Piastre and Theo Burshire. Then they made the move to Formula 2, but the sergeant didn’t. He stayed in Formula 3 for another year.

It didn’t go well. The American was unable to continue his form in 2020 and finished only in seventh place. Sargeant has finally started in Formula 2 this season and has already scored some good points, especially for the rookie.

Talent of Williams Logan Sargent.

Jack Crawford (Formula 3): He’s only seventeen years old, but he may have the best papers. Jack Crawford (full name Carlton Jackson Crawford) is part of the Red Bull Junior team and drives under this flag in Formula 3.

The driver, who grew up in Houston, was on the podium twice at Imola two weeks ago. Crawford leads the Prima team in its second season. This is the harvest season.

If he succeeds, the American has three advantages. He is still very young, so there is not much pressure to get into Formula 1 soon. Yet he is in the Red Bull camp and CEO Helmut Marko is not shy about throwing promising talent in front of the Lions.

Crawford also carries his citizenship with him, of course. If he does well, that makes him more attractive to Formula 1 teams than the countless British or French.

Red Bull Junior Jack Crawford.

Colton Herta (IndyCar): The 22-year-old Californian is the oldest American talent in IndyCar, although he has already passed talent status. The son of former driver Brian Herta has already won six races in the top US single-seat class in four full seasons and is considered a very fast driver.

However, driver Andretti’s title campaign hasn’t been real yet. Despite this, Hertha is also close to the fire, as he is associated with McLaren.

California was also close to a turnaround last winter, if the Andretti family succeeded in taking over the Sauber. Unfortunately for Herta, this deal was not initiated at all.

However, his name still rings, and it makes sense, too. Formula 1 is looking for an American, and Hertha is currently the fastest driver with such a passport.

IndyCar driver Colton Herta.