14 nations are represented in Formula 1 this season, a broad spectrum taking into consideration that there are only 20 seats available. Great Britain is the most represented with three drivers (George Russell, Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton), Spain (Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso), Germany (Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher), Canada (Nicolas Latifi and Lance Stroll) and France (Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon) have two drivers in Formula 1, while with one representative there is the Principality of Monaco (Charles Leclerc), Thailand (Alex Albon), China (Zhou), Holland (Max Verstappen), Australia (Daniel Ricciardo), Mexico (Sergio Perez), Finland (Valtteri Bottas), Denmark (Kevin Magnussen) and Japan (Yuki Tsunoda).
Zhou Guanyu is the first Chinese driver in the history of Formula 1, a category that is now looking for an American driver, for reasons not only purely technical, but rather to further increase the interest of the sport in the United States (the Miami Grand Prix recorded an impressive audience in the USA according to data collected by ESPN).
According to Mercedes driver George Russell, however, the passport should never be more important than talent: “I think I competed with a maximum of two American drivers in the days of karting – said the Mercedes driver at the Miami Grand Prix – I simply think that F1, being the most important motorsport series, must have a starting grid made up simply of the best talents in the world regardless of their nationality. When the best technicians and the best drivers are selected, the show benefits as a result because a team expresses the highest possible level.” – George Russell
And Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz agreed: “You don’t have to look at the nationality or passport, but only at talent, when choosing a driver. At the same time, there must be no prejudices. If a talented driver comes from anywhere in the world, we would welcome him and we would certainly be happy to compete with him on the track” – the Ferrari driver added.
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The United States has a driver which is expected to eventually get a seat in Formula 1, Colton Herta. The young driver is fighting for his first IndyCar title and was in pole position to take part in the free practice sessions for the United States in Texas a year ago if the negotiation between Andretti and Sauber had materialized. Colton Herta did not start 2022 well, but last Sunday in Indianapolis he won showing great courage and talent in taming his Dallara with slick tires on a wet track before all the other colleagues.
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