Colton Herta’s Formula 1 Superlicence Odyssey: Why the IndyCar Star Is Still One Point Short

MEXICO CITY — In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, fractions of a second on the track often dictate success. However, for American open-wheel star Colton Herta, a single arithmetic fraction of a point has become the ultimate hurdle in his pursuit of an F1 seat.

Following a comprehensive running program that saw him complete over 100 kilometers during the opening free practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix, it was widely believed in the paddock that Herta had finally cleared the mandatory 40-point threshold required by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to secure a coveted Formula 1 Superlicence.

Yet, as is so often the case in the bureaucratic maze of motorsport governance, the reality is far more complicated. According to official FIA clarifications, Herta remains agonizingly short of the requirement—sitting at 39 points, just one shy of the magic number 40.

---

Main Facts: The Numbers Behind the Hurdle

To understand Herta’s current predicament, one must look at how the FIA calculates Superlicence eligibility. Under the governing body’s International Sporting Code, drivers can accumulate the necessary 40 points through two distinct pathways:

1. Option A: Points accumulated over the three calendar years immediately preceding the year of the application.
2. Option B: Points accumulated over the two calendar years immediately preceding the application, plus any points earned during the current calendar year.

For Herta, the FIA is evaluating his credentials via the first pathway: the previous three calendar years combined with the points he has earned from F1 free practice outings in the current season (which are categorized independently of specific championship years).

His current point distribution breaks down as follows:

• 30 points: Secured during an impressive 2024 IndyCar Series campaign, where he finished as the championship runner-up.
• 1 point: Carried over from the 2023 IndyCar season.
• 4 points: Earned through various FP1 (Free Practice 1) appearances in Formula 1 machinery.

This brings his raw total to 35 points from IndyCar and four from F1 sessions, totaling 39 points—leaving him one point short of the 40-point benchmark.

---

Chronology: How the Confusion Unfolded in the Paddock

The journey toward Herta’s current Superlicence status has been plagued by shifting standings and public misunderstandings, creating a whirlwind of speculation throughout the F1 paddock.

The July Assessment

When the FIA conducted an initial preliminary review of Herta’s credentials back in July, internal tracking briefly listed him in sixth place in the 2025 IndyCar standings. Finishing sixth in IndyCar awards six Superlicence points. Had that classification held, Herta would have boasted 41 points, comfortably clearing the requirement and sparking early celebrations among his supporters.

The Wikipedia Discrepancy

Adding to the public confusion, online public records—including Herta’s Wikipedia profile—listed him in seventh place for the 2025 season. In IndyCar, finishing seventh yields only four Superlicence points. The discrepancy arose because Herta concluded that season tied on points with Swedish racer Felix Rosenqvist.

The Final Verdict in Mexico

Immediately following his FP1 running in Mexico City, paddock consensus assumed Herta was officially over the line. However, upon direct inquiry, the FIA confirmed to Motorsport.com that further administrative review definitively placed Herta seventh in the 2025 standings. Consequently, his total stands at 39 points, rendering him ineligible for immediate Superlicence issuance.

Cadillac Racing, which has taken a vested interest in the American driver’s development, remains unperturbed. The team has made it clear that they intend to grant Herta additional free practice outings before the season concludes. With F1 heading next to São Paulo and subsequently to American soil in Las Vegas, securing that final point via another 100-kilometer FP1 run is little more than a procedural formality.

---

Supporting Data: The Fine Print of the International Sporting Code

The complexities of the Superlicence system extend far beyond the initial accumulation of 40 points. A critical question facing Herta and Cadillac is the lifespan of the credential once it is officially issued.

Strictly speaking, a standard FIA Superlicence is valid for only one calendar year. This initially sparked concern that Herta’s window of opportunity might close rapidly if he is not promoted to a full-time F1 race seat by 2027—a fear tied to the impending expiration of his 30 points earned during the 2024 IndyCar season.

However, a closer reading of the FIA International Sporting Code reveals a vital safety net for drivers who have previously held the credential. Article 13.1.5(b) outlines an alternative qualification path for renewing or reclaiming a Superlicence:

"The driver must also satisfy at least one of the following requirements: […] b) Have been granted a Super Licence (excluding Free Practice Only Super Licence) and, prior to application, have previously completed at least 100 km during a free practice session of an FIA Formula One World Championship competition, in any of the previous 3 years."

What This Means in Practice

• The Three-Year Window: Once Herta secures his final point and successfully applies for his Superlicence, he enters the category of a "previous licence holder."
• Retaining Eligibility: Even if his 2024 IndyCar points eventually expire and he does not secure an immediate race seat for 2027, Cadillac maintains a three-year safety net.
• The One-Session Fix: In future seasons, Herta can reactivate his Superlicence simply by completing another 100-kilometer free practice session, completely bypassing the need to re-accumulate 40 points from junior or domestic championships.

---

Official Responses and Team Implications

Beyond the technicalities of the rulebook, Herta’s pursuit of a Superlicence intertwines directly with the future driver lineup of Cadillac’s ambitious Formula 1 project.

While Sergio Pérez’s contract was renegotiated and extended through at least 2029 ahead of his home race in Mexico, the status of the team’s second seat remains a subject of intense speculation. During a media appearance in Austin, Cadillac Team Principal Marcin Budkowski was directly asked whether both of his drivers held contracts extending past the current regulatory cycle.

Dodging the inquiry, Budkowski remarked that the official FIA press conference was "not the place to discuss it," effectively leaving the door wide open for potential roster adjustments ahead of the 2027 season.

When later questioned about the rumors surrounding his seat, current driver Valtteri Bottas maintained a calm demeanor, publicly stating that he is unconcerned about potential outside pressure or threats to his F1 future.

---

Implications for Colton Herta and American F1 Aspirations

The ongoing saga highlights the ongoing friction between American open-wheel racing and the FIA’s European-centric pyramid structure. While IndyCar is widely recognized as one of the premier single-seater championships in the world, the rigid points weighting system continues to create administrative hurdles for drivers crossing over to Formula 1.

For Herta, the immediate path forward is clear: log the required kilometers in an upcoming FP1 session, lock in the final Superlicence point, and cement his status as a fully qualified F1 driver candidate. Whether that status translates into a race seat with Cadillac in 2027 or serves as an insurance policy for future opportunities, the American star is now closer than ever to bridging the gap between IndyCar glory and the pinnacle of global motorsport.