Former F1 driver critical of FIA: 'That prevented American on the grid'

In Logan Sargeant, the United States will finally get another compatriot on the F1 grid in 2023. In 2015, Alexander Rossi was the last American to compete in Formula 1, driving for modest Manor. He appreciates how Sargeant has worked his way up through a career in Europe, but also denounces the undervaluation of IndyCar.

After his unsuccessful time at Manor, Rossi was succesful in IndyCar. He won the prestigious Indy 500. Rossi therefore knows better than anyone how strong the American counterpart to Formula 1 is. Rossi therefore does not understand why Colton Herta could not get a super licence, even though he was already very successful in IncyCar. Sargeant has never driven at such a level, but he does have enough points for the coveted licence.

Superlicence

Speaking to The Race Rossi said, "If an F1 team believes that someone has the talent and the ability to perform in F1, which clearly Colton does and has proven, that shouldn’t necessarily prevent them from getting there." sai dRossi, who will compete for the McLaren team in IndyCar next year. "The whole superlicence thing came about as a way to stop people from buying their way into the series. And what that’s done is it actually prevented an American from being on the grid."

According to Rossi, the current system implies that it is effectively impossible for an American in IndyCar to reach Formula 1. In fact, there is only the way through the European series, such as F3 and F2. Rossi argues that IndyCar's rating should be higher, and there are more points to be earned with successes in the American series. "I think there’s such a high level of competition that exists now, in IndyCar, in IMSA. Like, if there’s guys that are kicking ass and doing well in those championships, and they go over and do a test in an F1 car and they’re impressive, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be given the opportunity."