Why doesn’t F1 have American drivers?
20 Formula 1 drivers are heading to the US this weekend, but none of them are American, so why doesn’t F1 have an American driver?
F1 is always looking for American drivers
America is a mystery that F1 has been trying to crack since the start of the World Championship in 1950.
Back in the early days, America’s most famous race—the Indianapolis 500 was the only one held outside of Europe—was not that F1 drivers were too bothered about it.
Races are held across the country – from Watkins Glen in the east to Phoenix and Las Vegas in the west.
But F1 will never find a home in the US – and the chaotic race at Indianapolis in 2005 didn’t help.
Until 2012, that was it.
For the first time, F1 will have a purpose-built facility from which it can start to take root and develop its foundations.
The track was the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas – it quickly became a hit.
But one thing is still missing. Perhaps the biggest factor: an American F1 driver.
Since the beginning of 2000, there have only been two American F1 drivers – Scott Speed and Alexander Rossi.
Speed left F1 in 2006, while Rossi made only a few races in 2015. That was a whole generation of car fans growing up without Americans.
but why? Why are American drivers so rare in F1?
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
F1 A world away from its American roots
One of the main reasons for the lack of an American F1 driver is the promise it makes.
Most F1 drivers hit the road via the European junior single-seater route.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Lando Norris and George Russell have all made their mark on Europe and its myriad circuits.
They climbed ladders as children and teenagers, with their families by their side to support them.
For a young American driver hoping to solve a crime, they must be uprooted and cross the Atlantic.
Even so, as IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden discovered during his 2010 GP3 (now FIA Formula 3) campaign, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a success.
Photo by Formula Racing Ltd via Getty Images
This culture shock can be difficult to overcome.
Newgarden had a rough life in Oxford, England, and after a disappointing GP3 race, he flew west across the Atlantic back to the IndyLights.
F1 needs immediate results
That’s the nature of F1, teams usually only place drivers anywhere near the car for their junior events.
These European drivers are well trained on continental European circuits and know them well – such as Spa-Francorchamps or Silverstone.
F1 teams don’t put someone near a car just because they’re American.
They work with junior racing teams to find the best talent they can seamlessly transition to F1 – eg: Norris, McLaren put him in the junior team with Carlin.
Photo by Zak Mauger\Formula 1 via Getty Images
Let’s say our hypothetical American driver is doing well and has settled in and has some good results in their debut season.
There is still one biggest hurdle to overcome, and even their European cousins could fail.
Biggest hurdle for American F1 drivers
Any racing driver, even Hamilton, will tell you the biggest challenge they face in their youth career is money.
If you don’t have the budget to pay for your junior race seat, others will.
It’s all about survival, and in some cases just getting to the next game.
Why would an American company sponsor a driver trying to get into F1 in Europe?
Their exposure is limited, to say the least.
The race could be at the Norisring, the Red Bull Ring or Pau or some other really unremarkable circuit somewhere in Europe.
Why would you give this driver money or sponsor some kids who want to go to IndyCar or NASCAR — where that kind of exposure is pretty much guaranteed?
Photo by Christian Peterson/Getty Images
IndyCar and NASCAR offer American drivers what F1 can’t
Since 2010, only two F1 teams have won the championship, and only three drivers.
If all goes well in F1, only two teams have a realistic chance of winning the race – Mercedes and Red Bull.
That’s just four seats, two of which are locked up by Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
In IndyCar, however, the driver plays a bigger role.
With Romain Grosjean as Exhibit A.
He scored just 10 points in his final two seasons in F1 before leaving at the end of 2020.
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
His reputation suffered under the leadership of the uncompetitive Haas team.
Fast forward to his IndyCar switch, and Grosjean is a newcomer.
He has a pole position and three podiums in 2021 and now has a place at the Andretti Motorsport Centre in 2022.
NASCAR too. The tour’s three main series have enough premium seats for younger drivers.
Why would a driver give up a championship chance in IndyCar or NASCAR to run in F1 instead?
What’s the point of just making up the numbers and grabbing the occasional podium?
The answer to the shortage of American F1 drivers?
There is one name that keeps popping up as the answer to the questions of F1 American drivers.
He is an IndyCar star and already has experience in European junior single-seaters.
Colton Hertha.
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hertha has been heavily linked with a move to F1 after his IndyCar boss Michael Andretti was linked with a Sauber/Alfa Romeo takeover.
There is no doubt that Hertha has the talent and determination to succeed in F1.
Also, if he switches to F1 in 2022 or 2023 and doesn’t make it, he has a car seat at Andretti in IndyCar.
Is the wait coming to an end?
While F1 has grown significantly in the US since Liberty Media took power, it hasn’t solved the ultimate conundrum.
As we all know, Americans are a bunch of patriotic people.
It’s all good to have Verstappen or Hamilton as a popular driver, but the Americans in F1 could take the series to the next level.
The last American Grand Prix winner was Mario Andretti in 1978.
The last on the podium to score points was Michael Andretti of McLaren in 1993.
Herta may be the answer to why there are no American F1 drivers.
F1 is on the rise in America.
drive to survive Despite its flaws, it has been the best marketing campaign ever done by F1.
The boom F1 has experienced in the US is long overdue and doesn’t appear to be waning anytime soon.
The only thing the series needs right now are American riders who are competing machines.
If it’s Hertha or anyone else, it’s going to be a big moment for F1 when it gets a driver and chases the American Grand Prix forever.
And, like a bus in London, you have to wait a long time and another is always right behind you.
Photo by Peter J. Fox/Getty Images
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Jack usually writes or reads anything related to motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British truck racing. His work as a motorsport reporter has been published in prestigious outlets such as Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News. In addition to racing, he is an avid amateur astronomer, podcast listener, and enjoys walks in the park with his three dogs.
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