Video: Analysis of Herta’s move to AlphaTauri F1 team

The prospect of Red Bull bringing IndyCar race winner Colton Herta into Formula 1 debut makes for one of the most interesting rookie possibilities since Max Verstappen. No F1 debutant is a guaranteed hit, but with Herta you can make about as compelling a case that he could be a brilliant rookie as you can that his switch is doomed to fail.

Herta has been lined up by Red Bull to replace Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri, the latest move in a fascinating and volatile period for F1’s driver market. The American driver represents a bigger gamble than teams normally take, including the Red Bull ones. So what’s the thinking behind it – and is it a sure thing?

The promotional prowess Red Bull would have if they get Herta would be insane. A Dutch, a Mexican, an American and a Japanese driver… 4 huge and devoted markets

Missing from the analysis is the possibility that Herta’s IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti’s desire to buy the Alpha Tauri team if owner Dietrich Mateschitz will sell it.