Grapevine: Herta Ready for First Taste of Formula One

American Bryan Herta will get a first taste of Formula One when he tries out a Minardi in Britain next week.

The former CART race winner will drive a 2001 version Minardi at a festival at Donington Park, prompting speculation that he could go on to become the first American in the glamourous sport since 1993.

A Minardi spokesman said Herta would not be testing, since that is not allowed during the summer break before the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 18, but he would complete several laps as well as taking passengers out in a two-seater.

Regular Minardi drivers Mark Webber of Australia and Malaysian Alex Yoong, as well as former world champion Damon Hill, will also drive the two-seaters in the "Thunder in the Park II" event.

The last U.S. Formula One driver to enter a grand prix was Michael Andretti with McLaren in 1993.

Minardi could have a vacancy for the next two races at least, with Yoong likely to step down into a testing role after failing to qualify for three of 12 races.

The U.S.-based Speed Channel website reported 'behind-the-scenes plans' for Herta to race in the final three rounds of the season, including the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis in late September.

Spain's Fernando Alonso, last year's Minardi driver who has secured a seat at Renault next season, has been tipped as a possible replacement for Yoong in Hungary and Belgium.