Colton Herta Finally Earns His Super License by Covering 1-Point Deficit at Brazilian GP FP1

Cadillac test driver Colton Herta has finally earned his FIA Super License after competing during the Brazilian Grand Prix Free Practice 1 session on Friday. The American driver completed 24 laps at Interlagos, which means he has fulfilled the 100-kilometer threshold required to earn a 40th and final point to secure the license to race in F1.

Herta also took part in FP1 at last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, and was believed to have secured enough points to earn his FIA Super License after completing 30 laps in Mexico City. But it was later revealed that the 26-year-old had only reached 39 points after his performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, as opposed to the required 40.

This bizarre mistake happened as the official IndyCar website, a series where Herta raced in 2025, wrongly listed him as having finished sixth in the standings. This meant Herta had only secured four points for his finishing position in the 2025 IndyCar season.

Herta had earned one point in 2023 and 30 in 2024 due to his finishes in IndyCar. On top of this, he has earned four more points following his performances in FP1 at the races in Barcelona, Austria, the United States and Mexico. This put his total at 39, rather than 40, with him only reaching this figure upon completing another 100 kilometers of running in Brazil.

Now, Herta has finally completed the required number of points to earn his FIA Super License and will be eligible to race in F1 for 2027.

Colton Herta Could Replace Valtteri Bottas At Cadillac: Reports

Herta is one of the drivers in line to replace current driver Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac in 2027, The Race reported. The driver will not return to F2 again next year, but could be in for a promotion even amid a poor debut year in the feeder series this season.

While Sergio Perez has signed a new contract at the American team, Bottas also has a valid deal through the 2027 season on paper. But Cadillac has reportedly not yet made a final decision on its driver lineup for next year, with the Finn’s future not secure.

Cadillac has also not been disheartened by Herta’s poor form in F2 this year, as the team is reportedly happy with the work the driver has done in developing the F1 car behind the scenes. With his Super License now finally secure, Herta could well be promoted to the big league in 2027.

Out-of-favor Haas driver Esteban Ocon was another name being touted for a seat at F1’s newest team for next year. But the circumstances surrounding the Frenchman’s abrupt exit from yet another team could make him a less attractive prospect.

Valtteri Bottas Reflects On Cadillac Future Amid Colton Herta Rumors

Speaking to the media ahead of the Brazilian GP this weekend, Bottas said he believes he will be driving for Cadillac in 2027 as far as he knows, amid rumors of Herta replacing him. The 37-year-old said that he signed with Cadillac for the long term, and has not heard anything to the contrary from the team.

“In my head, it should be okay. You know, that’s what I signed up for, for the long term. And, I haven’t heard anything other than that, so in my head, it should be all good,” said Bottas.

“From my side, nothing has changed. The team has told me they don’t want to change anything. So that’s where we are,” he added.

Bottas currently sits 23rd in the 2026 drivers’ standings, having not scored any points this season. His teammate, Perez, is the only driver behind him on countback, but the Mexican driver has generally had a better year, having secured better results than his teammate in 19 races this year.

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