“They Want the American Money”: Wounds of Colton Herta’s Rejection Open as Kimi Antonelli Receives Ultimate F1 Boost

Why is Colton Herta suddenly entangled in F1 conversations? Get ready for yet another ‘plot twist that has just unfolded! The FIA decided the controversial ‘Verstappen Rule,’ which prohibited debutants below the age of 18 from holding a Super License. After Max Verstappen made his F1 debut at the age of 17 years and 166 days in 2015, authorities implemented this rule. Reports indicate that the FIA is making adjustments to rules to facilitate Kimi Antonelli‘s debut with Williams this season, replacing Logan Sargeant.

This decision has sparked considerable controversy in the community. Fans have, as always, expressed their mixed reactions, debating whether the decision favored a European F2 driver. The FIA previously blocked American IndyCar driver Colton Herta. In 2019, the then-18-year-old Herta was denied a Super License. Now, fans are ready to devour the fuss and speak out loud.

Fans are eager to know this not-so-surprising decision came in from FIA. They brought out their grievances while recalling the time when FIA denied a Super License to American IndyCar champion Herta, back in 2019. It may sound unreasonable to some, but fans of the sport have taken this decision to heart and may not stop with the criticism.

Fans think that Colton Herta had the same potential as Kimi Antonelli to be in F1.

Despite Herta’s experience, different championships carry different weights. In contrast to F1, F2, or F3, the IndyCar Champion earns 40 points, while the third place gets 20 and the fourth only 10. Back then, many F1 teams stood in favor of Colton Herta, but FIA paid no heed. And now, the ‘blast from the past’ has returned to bite FIA as they are choosing to change the rules.

The FIA has not addressed the disparity in points systems across its motorsports. Many have blamed this imbalance as the reason for Herta’s failure to be a part of F1. Some have called out FIA ‘biased.’ The allegations make one wonder if FIA is favoring Antonelli while overlooking Herta.  As F1 presenter Will Buxton tried to welcome this positive change by FIA, fans did not take this with a smile. Buxton seems to have triggered the sentiments of the fans, who chose to be the toughest critics.

Enthusiasts have taken social media by storm. They did not withhold their discontent with FIA’s decision. According to some fans, “FIA just wants the American money.” Rules come between a successful American driver. The same rules go out of the window for an equally talented European driver. One fan reasoned, saying: “The Superlicense point system is a solution in search of a problem, introduced in a moral panic after the debut of a now-3-time world champion, and should be scrapped altogether.” Memes are circulating on social media as fans continue trolling.

This disagreement between FIA and the fans might continue for a long time. Colton Herta’s F1 attempt failure has reopened old wounds, and critics won’t let it slide. The future of Logan Sargeant (Williams) is still uncertain. Antonelli might replace him mid-season and the FIA’s changes to age rules just highlight these rumors further. What is your take on the Antonelli versus Herta situation?