The Andretti entry has formally cleared its first main hurdle to enter Method 1, with the legendary racing household having been authorised by the FIA.

Whereas their admission into the game is much from a assure, with Method One Administration (FOM) nonetheless needing to log off on the deal, getting the sport’s governing physique’s approval is a significant step for the Andretti household, given the latest pushback they’ve obtained from a number of of the ten present Method 1 groups.

With 2026 being the earliest that they will roll onto the grid, there may be nonetheless loads of time for issues to shake out, comparable to the driving force market and the proposed regulation modifications.

Ought to Andretti World obtain the ultimate stamp of approval, there could be loads of positives for the game and its supporters. For one, the household title is among the many most well-known in all of sports activities, and their American heritage makes them a promotion machine for a sport that’s booming in North America.

However most significantly to drivers, they are going to be no backmarker. They’ve demonstrated a functionality of working a top-tier motorsports crew on the highest stage with their success in IndyCar.

On condition that their entry season can even characteristic an entire overhaul of the present rules, each on the engine and the chassis facet, they are going to be on comparatively equal floor with everyone else with a compelled contemporary begin.

If something, they might have the benefit of gearing 100% of their growth towards the 2026 automobile, whereas the opposite groups develop that automobile alongside their 2024 and 2025 challengers.

All of those eventualities level to the 2 Andretti World seats being very enticing choices, and there’ll seemingly be loads of accessible drivers of curiosity to the crew when the time comes.

Potential Andretti World Method 1 drivers: No. 1 – Colton Herta

Colton Herta is by far the highest candidate for an Andretti Method 1 seat. The 23-year-old son of former IndyCar driver Bryan Herta already races for Andretti World in IndyCar, and he’s unarguably one of the gifted drivers on the present grid.

Since his debut in 2018, the Santa Clarita, California native has racked up seven race victories, 11 pole positions, and 12 podium finishes in what’s objectively essentially the most equal and aggressive top-level racing sequence on this planet.

Since becoming a member of Andretti Autosport in 2020, Herta has been their high finisher (or tied for it) within the championship each single season, and he has contended for wins and podium finishes even when his crew has had lackluster equipment.

His expertise has been so distinguished lately that he was even rumored as a possible AlphaTauri driver for 2023, earlier than his lack of FIA Tremendous License factors prevented him from getting into the game.

Sure, he has made a piece of high-profile errors on the race monitor in the previous couple of years. Look no additional than when he threw away a dominant weekend in Nashville in 2021 by hitting the barrier towards the top of the race.

Nevertheless, it’s very clear that Andretti has been greater than prepared to look previous that, as a result of his uncooked pace and talents far outweigh his draw back. Regardless of all of his success and expertise, it’s straightforward to neglect that he’s nonetheless solely 23 years previous, and younger drivers of his caliber virtually at all times mature with time. The 2026 season continues to be a good distance away.

If Michael Andretti’s phrases are something to go by, Herta is prepared for Method 1.

“Lando [Norris] was as soon as Colton’s team-mate and so they had been on the identical stage. In case you have a look at Lando in Method 1 now, you realize what Colton may do as properly.”

On condition that he signed an extension in late 2022 to stick with the crew — and with main sponsorship Gainbridge — via the 2027 season, he’s contractually tied to Andretti previous the time that they’d seemingly enter Method 1. Who’s to say that the 2 sides can’t alter his contract barely to get him into their Method 1 program?

Given how properly Herta and the crew know one another, it truly is a no brainer.