News Summary
- Colton Herta will drive Cadillac’s MAC-26 in São Paulo Grand Prix FP1, replacing Sergio Pérez as he seeks the final point needed for a Formula 1 super licence.
- The American remains on 39 points after an error involving the 2025 IndyCar standings, which prevented him from reaching the threshold in Mexico.
- Herta must complete at least 24 laps at Interlagos without receiving penalty points to satisfy the distance requirement, potentially removing a major obstacle to a full-time F1 seat in 2027.
Colton Herta will return to Cadillac’s Formula 1 car during Friday’s opening practice session at the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, with the opportunity to secure the final point required for an FIA super licence. The American will replace Sergio Pérez at Interlagos, where completing at least 100km without receiving penalty points would take his total from 39 to the mandatory 40, allowing him to apply for the licence required to compete as a full-time Grand Prix driver.
The appearance was confirmed by Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski ahead of the Brazilian round, scheduled for November 6–8. It follows an unexpected complication at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Herta and Cadillac initially believed he had already met the eligibility threshold.
Why Herta still needs one super licence point
Herta’s participation in Mexico was supposed to complete his qualification for a Formula 1 super licence.
The American drove 30 laps during FP1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, comfortably exceeding the 100km distance required to earn an additional point.
However, a subsequent review revealed an error involving the published classification of the 2025 IndyCar championship.
Herta and Felix Rosenqvist had finished level on points, but Rosenqvist held the advantage on countback because of his superior number of second-place finishes.
The IndyCar website had incorrectly listed Herta sixth rather than seventh, leading to an overestimation of his super licence points.
Cadillac had previously checked its calculations with the FIA, but the discrepancy was identified after the Mexican practice session.
The corrected standings left Herta with 35 points from his IndyCar results and four additional points from qualifying Formula 1 practice appearances.
Colton Herta’s super licence points
| Achievement | Points |
|---|---|
| IndyCar 2023 — 10th | 1 |
| IndyCar 2024 — 2nd | 30 |
| IndyCar 2025 — 7th | 4 |
| Eligible F1 FP1 appearances in 2026 | 4 |
| Current total | 39 |
| Required for F1 | 40 |
The error was particularly frustrating because Herta had already lost another opportunity to score a point at Monza.
A hydraulic problem restricted him to five laps during Italian Grand Prix practice, preventing him from completing the minimum distance.
How many laps must Herta complete at Interlagos?
Under the FIA’s super licence regulations, a driver holding a free-practice-only super licence can earn one additional point by completing at least 100km during a Formula 1 practice session, provided no penalty points are imposed.
Interlagos measures 4.309km, meaning Herta must complete at least 24 laps to exceed the required distance.
The session lasts one hour, beginning at 12:30 local time on Friday, November 6.
The distance requirement is achievable under normal conditions, but mechanical problems, accidents or interruptions could prevent Herta from reaching his target.
The American’s experience at Monza demonstrated how quickly a technical failure can compromise an otherwise straightforward objective.
Even if Herta completes the necessary mileage, the FIA must still verify his eligibility and process any subsequent super licence application.
Reaching 40 points would not automatically confirm him as a Cadillac race driver in 2027.
Cadillac praises Herta’s development ahead of crucial practice
Budkowski expressed satisfaction with Herta’s progress during his previous appearances in the MAC-26.
“I’m also pleased to see Colton return to the MAC-26 for another FP1 outing, stepping in for Checo,” the Cadillac team principal said.
“His growth in the car across his sessions has been impressive, and his feedback remains invaluable to our 2027 development program.”
Herta has been working with Cadillac throughout the season while also competing in Formula 2 with Hitech.
His programme has been designed to improve his familiarity with Formula 1 machinery and accumulate the points necessary to qualify for a full race super licence.
The 26-year-old previously established himself as one of IndyCar’s leading drivers, finishing runner-up in the American championship in 2024.
However, his transition to Formula 2 has proved difficult.
Herta currently sits 19th in the standings with 26 points, without a podium finish.
His results in the junior championship have increased the importance of the additional points available through Formula 1 practice sessions.
Could Herta replace Bottas at Cadillac in 2027?
Securing the super licence would remove a significant regulatory obstacle to Herta’s Formula 1 ambitions.
Cadillac has already extended Sergio Pérez’s contract through at least 2029, but Valtteri Bottas’s position for 2027 remains uncertain.
According to reporting by ESPN and RACER, Herta is being considered for a full-time race seat next season.
The possibility of an American driver representing an American manufacturer has been part of Cadillac’s long-term Formula 1 project.
However, the team has not officially announced Herta as a race driver for 2027.
Budkowski has previously emphasised that such a decision must depend on the right timing and the right driver.
For now, the priority is completing the necessary distance at Interlagos.
Herta faces decisive Friday at São Paulo Grand Prix
The São Paulo Grand Prix presents another important opportunity for Herta, who has spent much of 2026 attempting to establish his eligibility for Formula 1.
Unlike the Mexican Grand Prix, where the points calculation became controversial after the session, the requirement in Brazil is now clear.
Cadillac must provide a reliable car, Herta must complete the required mileage without incurring penalty points, and the FIA must validate the result.
Friday’s session could therefore prove significant for the American manufacturer’s future driver plans.
The complete São Paulo Grand Prix timetable includes all practice sessions, Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the São Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
