Who will take the McLaren seat for 2023? It is true that Lando Norris is safe and Daniel Ricciardo is under contract until the end of next year, but the Australian's tenure is threatened. One of the favorites for the vacancy should it really open is Colton Herta. According to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, Norris has a very favorable opinion of the postulant.

Herta will undergo testing with McLaren throughout the year, perhaps even participating in official free practice sessions. Currently an Andretti driver at Indy, Herta is also seen as the right choice for the Andretti clan's team in case he gets the F1 seat he seeks.

"The potential is definitely there. When you look at his results at Indy, he is extremely fast. He was Lando's teammate in Europe years ago, and Lando holds Colton in high regard," Brown said.

Zak Brown é fã de Colton Herta (Foto: McLaren) — Zak Brown is a fan of Colton Herta (Photo: McLaren)

"Colton has an extremely good chance and is very capable of being a Formula One driver. That's why we are testing, so that if one day we have a vacant seat and he proves in testing that he is capable, the stars will align. Then, yes, I can see him in F1 with McLaren or another team," he continued.

Interest in Herta is growing at a time when F1 is at an all-time high in popularity in the United States. The success of 'Drive to Survive', packed grandstands, and the confirmation of three races a year in the country are all part of the package.

"It would be an addition to the great exposure that F1 already has in North America. We have Las Vegas, we race once in Miami, and we are still at the beginning of the rapid growth of F1," he concluded.

Formula One returns next weekend, July 1-3, at Silverstone with the British GP.