Monterey win is small solace for Herta

Mike Harris

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 | 9:18 a.m.

Bryan Herta's first victory this season brought little relief - and more questions.

Why has he struggled through such a disappointing season after the promise of the previous year? Will he have a ride next season?

So, along with Herta's joy two weekends ago when he got his second straight win at Laguna Seca Raceway, there was sadness.

A year ago, there was no restraint in the celebration for his first career victory. That win, coming with nemesis Alex Zanardi in his rearview mirror, was as satisfying as anything Herta had experienced.

The victory, his first in 71 CART races, gave Herta the look of a championship contender, proving the potential he had shown for years was finally coming to fruition.

But the happy expectations have turned to grim disappointment for Herta and Team Rahal. Going into Sunday's Texaco Grand Prix of Houston - the 18th of 20 races this season - Herta is 12th in the series standings.

Herta had led 84 laps this season - 83 of them in Monterey.

"Yes, I am greatly disappointed by the season we've had," Herta said. "I'm greatly disappointed by our inability to perform to the level that I know that we are capable. Nobody is more upset about that than I am.

"If there was an easy answer as to why it was, we would have fixed it already. It's not good for anybody, not for me and not for the team."

Herta admits there have been problems within the team. One of them could be new teammate Max Papis, although they both say they get along.

The Italian driver is everything Herta is not.

Papis loves the limelight, is constantly telling stories and tries to charm everyone he meets. Herta is quiet - even bland - and avoids the spotlight.

Those personality traits appear to translate to their on-track performances. Papis is mostly aggressive and instinctive. Herta is often conservative and cerebral.

"I think Bryan is a very good race driver," Papis said. "We have gotten along just fine. We have shared information and worked together, but it is true that we are very different people."

Papis moved into the seat vacated by team owner Bobby Rahal, who retired as a driver after the 1998 season.

Rahal, a three-time series champion, had always taken the bulk of the attention, which suited Herta very well. But Rahal's retirement was expected to thrust Herta, not Papis, into the key role on the two-car team.

Instead, it's Papis who is tied for fifth in the standings and has been the Rahal driver in contention at most of the races this season. But Herta insists there has been no jealousy.

"Max is totally different from Bobby," Herta said. "Not in a good or bad way, just they are different personalities and I think when Max first came to the team our relationship took a little more time to jell because he was the new guy."

But the level of trust grew as the season progressed. Now, Herta considers Papis a friend.

And, Herta says, Papis has been a terrific teammate.

"The best thing about a teammate is he wants to beat you every weekend and you want to beat him and you can draw motivation from each other," Herta said. "We have definitely had that."

The victory in Monterey, Calif., salvaged some pride for Herta, but apparently hasn't saved his ride.

It appears virtually certain that Herta will move on next season.

"There are a couple of different people I'm talking to," he said of his job search. "I'm confident that I'm going to be in a good situation next year."

Leaving Rahal, where he has had a home for four years, will be difficult for Herta, especially under the circumstances.

"I think we let more than our fair share get through our grasp and that is unfortunate," he said. "But maybe that is a signal that it is time for a change."