Colton Herta Still One Point Short of Super Licence After Mexico FP1 Confusion

Colton Herta's path to Formula 1 hit an unexpected snag after his FP1 outing at the Mexican Grand Prix failed to secure the final Super Licence point he believed he needed. The confusion stemmed from an error in the published IndyCar 2025 standings, which listed Herta sixth when he was actually seventh.

Why it matters:

The Super Licence point system is F1's gatekeeper, and Herta's situation highlights how bureaucratic details can derail a driver's career. With Cadillac evaluating its 2027 lineup, every point counts—and Herta's eligibility remains uncertain.

The details:

• Herta drove for Cadillac in Mexico, his fifth FP1 of the season, expecting to reach the 40-point threshold.
• The FIA revealed he remains one point short due to the standings error: Herta tied with Felix Rosenqvist on 372 points, but Rosenqvist took sixth on countback (more second-place finishes).
• Herta's reaction: "I don't know. I was under the impression that coming into this weekend, if I do this, I get the Super Licence. So I guess I have to wait and see."
• Cadillac could offer another FP1 outing to secure the needed point. Herta: "I'll take it. Anytime I get in the car more, we'll see."
• He has been linked to Valtteri Bottas's race seat, with team principal Marcin Budkowski leaving the door open to a driver change.

What's next:

Herta remains focused on proving himself on track. "I want to be in Formula One. That's the goal," he said. With discussions ongoing, his F1 dream hinges on one more point—and Cadillac's decision.