Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick says it's high time for an American driver in F1. Netflix already made the sport more popular in the United States. She tipped Colton Herta to make it a success.
Liberty Media has been working to increase the audience in America since they bought the sport. Starting in 2022, a second race will be held in the United States. In conversation with Motorsport.com Patrick notes that the Netflix series Drive to Survive helped a lot to make the sport better known.
Among other things, she says: "I think that it humanises, that it gives it storylines, it's a way to really try and understand what's going on in the sport."
With an American driver of its own, the sport in the United States can only really break free according to Patrick: "If there was an American driver that they could cheer for, then I think that what you'd see is more coverage here."
"There'd be a reason to cover it, and I think that would definitely help."
With Colton Herta, the six-time IndyCar race winner, that could be achievable according to Patrick. It's just that the American currently lacks the necessary points on his super license. There won't be a spot for him in F1 in the very short term.