Andretti Global are still waiting to hear if their bid to enter Formula 1 will be accepted but they can still work on sorting out their drivers in the meantime.
Many drivers in different series around the world will be happy to have two more seats on the grid, but who could actually be in the driver’s seat if the American giant enters F1?
Michael Andretti, the team owner, wants at least one American but doesn’t anticipate his father Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, to be one of them.
Beyond Dad! Over the course of the United States Grand Prix weekend, Michael Andretti told Sky Sports, “Well, obviously we’ve talked a lot about Colton [Herta].
Colton is definitely at the top of our list, but obviously, we have the points problem so we have to see how he does in the Indycar Championship to hopefully get enough points to get his super license but then we’ve talked to a few others as well that do qualify.
“The goal is to have at least one American in the car and then an experienced driver in the other car to help mentor that.”
GPFans takes a look at some potential driver options for Andretti if they get into F1.
The big IndyCar dilemma
As Michael Andretti mentioned to Sky Sports, Colton Herta has been the man they have pinned their hopes on for a few years now but the Californian has not kicked on over in IndyCar.
The 23-year-old burst onto the scene in North America with wins very early in his IndyCar career but he has since struggled to improve and only finished ninth in the standings in 2023, one place and four points ahead of another potential F1 hopeful.
Kyle Kirkwood joined Andretti in IndyCar for the 2023 season and was the only driver in the stable to win a race, doing so twice at Long Beach and Nashville.
At least one of those drivers will stay in IndyCar and possibly both with the super license points not favouring the North American scene and drivers.
Red Bull potential
If an American driver is desired and neither of Andretti’s IndyCar aces fit the bill, then maybe Red Bull could lend a helping hand.
Jak Crawford currently races in Formula 2 and scored a victory in his rookie season in 2023 racing with Hitech GP, a team that had their F1 bid rejected by the FIA.
If Red Bull keeps Crawford on and he gets the super license points required, then a potentially cost-saving deal to lend the teenager to Andretti could be the perfect solution for all parties.
Equally, Andretti’s reigning Formula E champion Jake Dennis is a Red Bull simulator driver and would likely pounce at the opportunity to leave Milton Keynes to join the pinnacle of motorsport.
One last blast
We don’t know when, if ever, Andretti will enter Formula One, but if Lewis Hamilton is still with Mercedes when they do, might he be persuaded?
The seven-time world champion will undoubtedly make less money racing for the American team, but his name and reputation are huge in the country.
He might believe that spending one last season with the new team is a fantastic way to leave the sport while also offering valuable advice to the freshmen.