Seidl: Colton Hertha faces a serious test

The Formula 1 calendar now has two phases in the US, and the debut of the third is scheduled for 2023 – the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the topic of the appearance of an American racer in the World Championship is becoming increasingly relevant.

McLaren has close ties to American motorsport, with the Arrow McLaren SP team, which is largely owned by McLaren Racing, having been successful in the IndyCar Series. One of InyCar’s most talented and promising drivers, 23-year-old Mexican Pato O’Ward, works with this team and recently won the Alabama Grand Prix.

Last December, O’Ward already gained experience driving a Formula 1 car, as he took part in tests in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of McLaren. By the way, Zack Brown, the head of McLaren Racing, promised him this last year if Pato takes his first win in IndyCar. O’Ward won two races in 2021 and finished the season in 3rd place in the individual standings.

This year, Brown also promised to invite another IndyCar star, Andretti Autosport driver Colton Herta, to test, and McLaren executives confirmed this at the Miami Grand Prix. Incidentally, the Californian driver was the special guest of the team last weekend.

“He will undergo a serious test, difficult tasks will have to be solved,” said Andreas Seidl, head of McLaren. – There are also problems with physical training, because in Formula 1 the cars are very fast and Colton is already spending this weekend with our team to understand the specifics of her work.

At some point, at the base in Woking, he will undergo a chair pass, certainly work on a simulator and also practice preparing for the tests. We have to see how all those processes work.”

Asked in the Miami Grand Prix paddock if he dreams of Formula 1, he replied: “Of course I think about it, especially now that I’m not racing. Because the worst thing is when you’re on the track, but you don’t participate yourself.”

Speaking about the prospects for working with Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward, Zack Brown emphasized that it was Seidl who will decide who and when to invite to the tests, but confirmed that the Mexican would continue to drive for McLaren in IndyCar: “We will definitely extend the contract with him and we will work together for many years to come. Pato did a great job in Alabama. He will remain a McLaren driver. But ultimately all decisions regarding the Formula 1 team, including candidates to participate in the tests, will be made by Andreas Seidl taken.