For racing fans hoping to see an American driver hit the Formula 1 grid, there’s some disappointing news. Colton Herta, one of IndyCar’s brightest young stars, has missed out once again on earning enough points for the all-important FIA Super Licence. Without it, F1 remains out of reach, at least for now.
Why Does This FIA Super Licence Matter?
The FIA Super Licence is like a golden ticket for racing drivers. Without 40 Super Licence points collected over the last three seasons, drivers can’t line up on a Formula 1 grid, no matter their talent. Points are earned through strong results in qualifying series like IndyCar, Formula 2, and even some bonus F1 practice sessions.
How Did Colton Herta Fall Short?
Heading into the final rounds of the 2025 IndyCar season, Colton Herta was in a tight race, not just on track, but for those crucial Super Licence points. Thanks to strong results in previous years, including a brilliant runner-up finish in 2024 that earned him 30 points, Herta started the year with a points tally just shy of the target. But unfortunately, his earlier lower finishes, like 10th place in both 2022 and 2023, meant he picked up only a single point from each of those seasons.
This year, Herta needed to finish at least fourth in the championship to grab enough points. But after placing 11th in the key Milwaukee race, he found himself stuck in sixth overall with just one round to go, and too far behind to catch the drivers he needed to overtake.
What Are His Options Now?
With sixth place, Colton Herta is expected to end the year with only 37 Super Licence points, three points shy of what’s needed. This puts his F1 dream on pause, at least until the 2027 season if nothing changes. To bridge the gap, Herta could look to collect extra points in other racing series or by taking part in up to 10 F1 Free Practice 1 sessions, which each offer a single point. But with fierce competition for those practice outings and tight race calendars between IndyCar and F1, it’s not as easy as it sounds.
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Interestingly, there’s also buzz he might consider a switch to Formula 2, where the points on offer align more generously with F1’s requirements. A short F2 campaign, especially if he can score big, could help tip the scales in his favor. Herta himself hasn’t ruled this out, and as always in motorsport, never say never.
What’s Next for Herta?
For now, the paddock chatter linking Colton Herta to potential drives with Cadillac’s upcoming F1 team has cooled off. Rumors have shifted toward more experienced F1 names for those coveted seats. But Herta remains locked in a battle not just on track, but against the system itself.
Until the points catch up with his talent, F1 fans will have to keep waiting, and Colton Herta will have to keep chasing that Super Licence milestone.
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Also read: Who Could Be Cadillac’s Reserve Driver In 2026? All Possibilities
