Andretti in F1, again?

[DND]

News heating up on a possible transaction between Andretti Autosport and Sauber/Alfa. Haas continues to be a major let down after an impressive debut scoring 8 points. If the deal goes through does Colton Herta deserve a test for a seat?

 

[Eric Rowland]

does Colton Herta deserve a test for a seat?

yes

 

[Antony Snook]

America is a good economy for F1. Many people there follow the sport, despite the rumours most Americans don't understand it. But we need a Ameican driver. Thoth history tells us that Americans are not good at F1. I would like to see a brave soul stick at it and Master it for America.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Thoth history tells us that Americans are not good at F1

Phil Hill would disagree with you.

 

[DND]

Phil Hill would disagree with you.

Mario as well, but boy oh boy it's been way too long.
IF an American can break through as a bonafide racer and not some marketing project would be nice.

 

[Antony Snook]

Phil Hill would disagree with you.

Mario Andretti was a world champion but it was a long time ago. Michael Andretti had a lot of retirements in a good car McLaren Ford. Though he had some poppadoms in 1993. And Scot speed was not good. If we want American interest it has to be someone who can run up Front. Not mid or back of the pack as it wont increase fan base. The problem is you need to know European tracks and that means racing in Europe from a young age. And America has a lot of alternate racing that is more local.

 

[DND]

Good points @Antony Snook, but an American breaking into a top tier team? Highly unlikely as we have seen drivers like Lewis, Lando and George Russell that signed onto mega names when they were mere children.
As far as an American in F1 the lack of commitment from Michael Andretti was his downfall. Yes the car wasn't supposed to be competitive , and Ayrton Senna was...well Ayrton did manage to make it work. Back then testing was incredibly more relaxed than today's F1 and simulators weren't really a thing then so Andretti did himself, and the team a disservice by not being their as much as he could have.
Having said that the best opportunity for an American in F1, as I see it, is Andretti Autosport. Now if all this should happen Sauber/Alfa haven't had a whole lot of success and unless a change in ownership (again) does the trick the best case scenario is for someone like Colton Herta, a lower Formula driver or a second go around for Rossi would be to show their capabilities and sign elsewhere in a couple of years.
Still a possibility at this time, but hope it works out better than the USF1 effort, or lack thereof, and the current embarrassment that is Haas.

Edit: well that dream went to hell in a hurry.