Colton Herta started from the pole-position and left with a proud second-place finish at the Toronto GP, just his second podium in the 2022 Indy season
Colton Herta couldn't turn pole-position into victory at the Toronto GP on Sunday (17), but the second place didn't leave a bitter taste for the American. The Andretti driver was overtaken by Scott Dixon, who broke a 22-race winless streak at Indy, and had to hold off Felix Rosenqvist at the end of the race to take only his second podium of the season.
Herta revealed that he had difficulties with tire management, but that this was the only problem he had this weekend. The return to the podium was tasty for the 22-year-old, who was proud of his work and the car delivered by Andretti.
"Felix was very fast, I'm glad I was able to hold him off, I think a few more laps and he would have overtaken me. We struggled a little bit with tire wear at the end, but other than that the car was awesome," Colton explained.
"I was overtaken by Dixon, but it's one of the races I have to be proud of, the team did an amazing job, the car was really good all weekend. Pole and second place, I'm happy with that, it's good to be back on the podium and I hope we can have these results more constantly," said the young American.
Earlier this week, Herta conducted his first test with a Formula 1 car, the MCL35M, McLaren's car for the 2021 season, at the Portimao circuit. With Daniel Ricciardo's stay in check and speculation that the American could be an option, Colton hinted that his future is at Indy with Andretti, and wants more regularity to fight for the title in 2023.
"It's great, we just need this to be more regular and do it again next year that we'll be in a much better position in the championship than we are now," Herta charged.
With his second podium finish of the year, Herta moved up to eighth in the Indy standings with 254 points. Ganassi's Marcus Ericsson is still in the lead. Indy returns next Saturday for the Iowa 1 GP, with full coverage by GRANDE PRÊMIO.