LaCie Ext. HD using Monteray won't format to MacOS Extended Journaled.

My new LaCie external hard drive won't format as I want it to.

The LaCie site states that for Monteray (I can't now update to the next OS) my new HD needs to be reformated to MacOS External Journaled (HFS+). I have done this a few times but on checking later it has changed itself to APFS. I admit I don't get how all this works but I followed LaCie's instructions.

I have erased it all a few times but it still goes back to APFS. And on using First Aid it shows up as unsuccessfull. The LaCie site says that Monteray must cannot be APFS.

Please can anyone help?