The rumors surrounding it have been swirling around the motorsports world over the past year or so, but some came true on Friday afternoon.
During the NTT IndyCar Series practice broadcast on Peacock, it was confirmed that Colton Herta will be tabbed as the first driver for Michael Andretti’s Formula 1 team if it can receive approval to race by the FIA.
The FIA has said in recent days that it is not currently looking to add new teams – in response, essentially, to Andretti’s announcement.
Despite the series having 24 cars a decade a go and each track contractually obligated to have 26 garage spots at least, it remains unclear whether the organization will budge or not.
Herta has done his part, however. In his short IndyCar career thus far, Herta has picked up six wins in three full-time seasons in the sport, including two coming as a rookie driver.
He enters the 2022 IndyCar season as both the defending winner and favorite to win the season opener at Long Beach for Andretti Autosport.
IndyCar opens its season on Sunday at the Streets of St. Petersburg.
