Red Bull have reached an agreement to replace Pierre Gasly with IndyCar star Colton Herta if allowed by the FIA, according to a report.
The Frenchman is contracted to another year with AlphaTauri as it stands. But after Red Bull signed Sergio Perez for two more seasons, Gasly made it clear he would be considering his options as he wants to drive for a team closer to the front of the grid.
After Oscar Piastri decided to join McLaren, and the Contracts Recognition Board ruled that he would be allowed to do so, Alpine are in need of a new driver. And they have reportedly already agreed a fee with Red Bull to field Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon next year.
That leaves AlphaTauri in need of at least one new driver next season. Reports had suggested they were looking at IndyCar star Herta, who was of interest to Andretti Autosport when they tried to buy Sauber, and has already tested an F1 car with McLaren.
And now, according to reliable F1 reporter Chris Medland, Helmut Marko has confirmed that "an agreement has already been reached with all parties" to make that happen. However, the deal does depend on one particular issue being resolved.
Herta does not have enough points in the current FIA system to qualify for a superlicence, needed by all F1 drivers. He is not likely to get enough by the end of the year on his own, meaning the FIA would need to bend their own rules to permit him to drive in 2023.
An American driver in F1 would bring huge commercial benefits, which would make granting such a decision appealing to the sport's governing body, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will agree to Red Bull's request. According to Medland, a decision is expected in the next week.
If Herta is allowed to join AlphaTauri for 2023, Gasly's move to Alpine would be a formality and could be announced soon after. He is said to not be the best of friends with fellow Frenchman Ocon, but the team is clearly not concerned about any infighting and appears to have made him their number one choice for the seat.
