IndyCar Standings Error Leaves Herta One Point Shy of F1 Superlicence

Colton Herta's path to a Formula 1 superlicence hit an unexpected snag — not on track, but on a website. The American completed 30 laps in the Cadillac during FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, comfortably clearing the 100-kilometre threshold for an extra point. Yet the FIA has confirmed he sits on 39, one short of the 40 required.

Why it matters:

The shortfall traces to how Herta was classified in the 2025 IndyCar championship. The series' website listed him sixth rather than seventh, and that difference carries real weight. Herta finished level on points with Felix Rosenqvist, who took sixth on countback thanks to more second-place finishes. Sixth pays six superlicence points; seventh pays four. Cadillac built its assessment on the faulty listing, with reports suggesting the figures were checked with the FIA as far back as July.

The details:

• Herta's 39 points: one from 10th in IndyCar in 2023, 30 from his 2024 runner-up finish to Alex Palou, four from seventh last year and four from F1 practice outings in Spain, Austria, the US and Mexico City.
• He needed 24 laps in Mexico City and cleared the requirement with six to spare.
• The IndyCar error has since been corrected, but the damage is done.

What's next:

Cadillac has further FP1 opportunities, including Sao Paulo and Las Vegas, and one more mileage-compliant session would take him to 40. Even if a 2027 race seat doesn't materialise, securing the licence offers flexibility — FIA rules let former holders with 100km in practice within the preceding three years reapply without rebuilding the points. With Valtteri Bottas's future under scrutiny, Herta's candidacy remains live.