Daniel Ricciardo celebrates his win at the 2021 Italian GP (Credits: F1 Twitter)
Rumours suggest that Colton Hera is being looked upon as a potential replacement for Daniel Ricciardo by 2024
Daniel Ricciardo could very well make way for Colton Hera in the McLaren F1 team, as per rumors. The 32-year-old Ricciardo is in the twilight of his career and apparently, McLaren is looking for a younger alternative. The 22-year-old Hera just seems to fit the requirement and additionally brings his immense popularity in the U.S.A to the table.
Colton Herta is an American open-wheel racing driver currently competing in the NTT IndyCar Series for Andretti Autosport with Curb-Agajanian. He is the youngest person to ever win an IndyCar Series race. ln 2018, Herta debuted in IndyCar at the season finale in Sonoma with Harding Racing. He is the son of IndyCar and Champ Car driver Bryan Herta.
After intense speculation this year that he would be making a move to Formula One, Andretti Autosport and Herta announced that he would be racing in IndyCar in 2022, partnering with Alexander Rossi, Romain Grosjean, and Devlin DeFrancesco. In March 2022, Herta was signed by McLaren as a development driver in the 2022 season to test the MCL35M from 2021, giving him his first exposure with an F1 team.
F1 fans and followers have mixed reactions to these rumours.
“Their loss lmao. Daniel has been at Landos level this season, just unluckier. They won’t be saying this come the end of the year”, tweeted a fan who certainly rates Ricciardo very highly.
“Yo, just swap them. Daniel loves the US and would do great in Indycar. Herta would bring more American attention to F1 and grow the sport even more. Both sports grow, we all win! Except Daniel probably doesn’t want to lose his seat”, wrote a fan who is visibly excited at the prospect.
“Maybe, but more likely he will go to Andretti who he already drives for when they bring their new team.Historically F1 drivers are fast in IndiCars but only Mario himself has been champion from Indi to F1 lots have tried. Montoya probably next best”, tweeted one such fan.