Colton Herta Eyes Final Super Licence Point at Mexico City GP

Colton Herta is set for another FP1 appearance during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, this time stepping into Valtteri Bottas's seat. The American driver is on a mission to secure the final point needed for his F1 Super Licence, a critical milestone as he continues to align himself with Cadillac's ambitions in the championship.

Why it matters:

Securing the Super Licence is more than a formality for Herta; it is the final regulatory hurdle before he can realistically be considered for a full-time grid spot. As F1 continues to expand its footprint in North America and Cadillac looks toward its role in the sport, having a licensed, top-tier American talent ready to step in is a strategic priority for both the driver and the manufacturer.

The details:

• The Point Gap: Herta is currently one point shy of the 40-point threshold required for a Super Licence.
• Mileage Requirement: Earning a point in FP1 is not guaranteed; drivers must complete at least 100 kilometers without incident. Herta previously missed out at Monza after completing only 25 kilometers.
• Rookie Wave: Mexico City will see a significant shuffle in the opening session as teams fulfill their mandatory rookie requirements:
  • Ayumu Iwasa will drive Max Verstappen's RB22.
  • Frederik Vesti takes over George Russell's W17.
  • Leonardo Fornaroli will replace Oscar Piastri at McLaren.
  • Luke Browning steps in for Alex Albon at Williams.

The big picture:

This surge of rookie activity highlights the teams' efforts to evaluate young talent amidst the 2026 regulation cycle. For Herta, the timing is pivotal. Having already driven Sergio Perez's car at COTA, his ability to consistently adapt to different machinery under pressure is being closely monitored by the paddock.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Herta's mileage on Friday. If he successfully completes the 100km mark, he will officially secure his Super Licence, removing the last administrative barrier to an F1 seat for the 2027 season.