Colton Herta has secured the final superlicence point required to compete in Formula 1®, following his sixth Friday practice session of the 2026 season at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos. Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas remains optimistic about maintaining his race seat with the Cadillac F1 Team for the 2027 season.
Herta’s achievement came after completing the necessary 100 kilometres during Friday practice, which granted him the 40th superlicence point needed to qualify for a race seat. This milestone followed a previous miscalculation of his points tally related to his IndyCar results, which left him one point short after the Mexican Grand Prix. To rectify this, Cadillac arranged for Herta to participate in an additional FP1 session in Brazil, allowing him to meet the threshold.
Cadillac is currently evaluating its driver lineup options for 2027. The team is considering whether to retain Valtteri Bottas alongside Sergio Perez or to promote Herta to a full-time race seat. Significant resources have been invested in preparing Herta for a potential debut in the series as early as next year. Alongside these two, Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti has also been mentioned as a possible contender for a seat at Cadillac.
Bottas has expressed surprise at the circulating rumors about his future with the team but remains confident that he will be retained for the 2027 season. He emphasized that the final decision lies with the Cadillac board, which has yet to hold a meeting on the matter. Reflecting on his challenging debut season with Cadillac’s MAC-26 car, Bottas acknowledged incidents such as a high-speed crash in Mexico caused by suspension failure but believes the team understands the context of his performances.
While Herta’s superlicence qualification clears an important regulatory hurdle, it does not guarantee a race seat for the American driver. Cadillac’s consideration of their driver lineup appears to balance experience and investment in emerging talent. The team’s approach highlights the ongoing complexities faced by new entrants in the championship as they build competitive driver pairings.
The situation at Cadillac underscores the broader dynamics in the Formula 1® paddock regarding driver development and seat security. With established drivers like Bottas aiming to secure their positions and promising talents such as Herta pushing for opportunities, the 2027 driver market remains open and subject to final decisions by team management.
At this stage, the Cadillac F1 Team’s driver lineup for 2027 is yet to be confirmed, with the board’s upcoming discussions expected to clarify the team’s direction. Herta’s superlicence achievement marks a significant step in his progression towards a potential Formula 1® race debut, while Bottas’s confidence reflects his ongoing commitment to the team despite a demanding season.