Colton Herta remains one point short of Formula 1 superlicence after FIA reclassifies result
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 31, 2026
Herta superlicence total
The FIA said Colton Herta remained one point short of a Formula 1 superlicence, leaving him on 39 points after a revised view of his 2025 IndyCar season. The adjustment came after further investigation reclassified his finish from sixth to seventh, which changed the point total tied to that result. With the correction, Herta finished with 35 IndyCar points and four points from Formula 1 practice sessions. He also tied Felix Rosenqvist on points and lost the tiebreak on second-place finishes. That left the American driver still outside the 40-point threshold required for a superlicence, even after Cadillac had already checked its calculations with the FIA in July. The update sharpened the picture around Herta’s route to Formula 1, because every point now matters in a search that has stretched across multiple seasons and series. Herta spent the 2026 season racing in Formula 2 and serving as a Cadillac reserve driver while trying to secure enough points for an F1 move, and his most recent total shows how narrow the margin remains.
Mexico practice outing
Herta took another step in that pursuit when he completed more than 100 kilometers in first practice at the Mexico Grand Prix in Valtteri Bottas’ Cadillac car. That session gave him one more Formula 1 practice outing. He still needs one more FP1 appearance to reach 40 superlicence points, which keeps his next chance squarely in focus. Cadillac could use a future race weekend, including São Paulo or Las Vegas, to put Herta back in the car for another practice session. The team has a clear path if it wants to keep building his total through official running, and the remaining step is straightforward. The margin is tight, but the structure is clear, and Herta has already shown he can contribute mileage in a live race-weekend setting.
Cadillac 2027 plans
Cadillac has not formally confirmed its 2027 driver lineup, but it continues to consider Herta for a potential race seat. That leaves his superlicence chase tied directly to the team’s long-range plans, with each practice appearance carrying added weight. Once Herta earns a superlicence, he would also have a three-year renewal path as a previous licence holder, which gives him a cleaner route forward after the points are secured. For now, the team has a reserve driver with a realistic path to full eligibility and a roster decision that remains open. Herta’s position also reflects the balance Cadillac is trying to strike as it evaluates both short-term development and long-term lineup choices. His 2024 IndyCar runner-up finish gave him 30 superlicence points, and the revised 2025 result added enough to keep the discussion alive, even if it did not close the gap.
