Formula 1: Way-too-early candidate emerges for 2026 Cadillac seat

Formula 1: Way-too-early candidate emerges for 2026 Cadillac seat

As a gamer who has spent countless hours racing virtual cars and dreaming of the real thing, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of Colton Herta gracing the grid of Formula 1.

It’s been announced that Cadillac has just gained approval for their involvement in Formula 1 racing. However, it appears they’ve had Colton Herta, an IndyCar racer, on their radar since the start.

For approximately ten years, an American racer has been part of the Andretti Global team. His impressive racing record, highlighted by finishing as the runner-up in the 2024 IndyCar championship, could potentially earn him a spot in Formula One.

Despite not being widely recognized by Formula 1 spectators, Herta has made a significant impact within the racing circuit. As the 2022 season approached, he was rumored to be a strong contender for Alfa Romeo (formerly known as Sauber). In fact, he even underwent the process of creating a seat mold for the team. However, these prospects were primarily driven by Michael Andretti’s efforts to acquire Sauber in 2021, which ultimately did not materialize.

Later on, Herta was under consideration for a position at AlphaTauri (formerly RB) for the 2023 season. In fact, Red Bull asked the FIA to make an exception regarding his shortage of super license points. However, the FIA declined this request, ultimately resulting in Nyck de Vries securing that seat instead.

Colton Herta to Cadillac?

At age 24, he’s keeping his aspirations high, aiming for a spot in Formula 1. However, the challenge he faced several years ago remains – his insufficient number of super license points could potentially prevent him from being taken into account.

To obtain the necessary FIA super license, a minimum of 40 points is required. Herta’s exceptional IndyCar season in 2024 earned him 30 points for coming in second place. He currently has an additional two points: one point each from his tenth-place finishes in the years 2022 and 2023.

In the 2025 IndyCar season, Herta’s performance could earn him a chance to compete in Cadillac. If he accumulates sufficient Super License points, this might qualify him for a spot in Formula 1.

To secure his position, the Californian must accumulate a minimum of eight additional points. He can achieve this by placing no lower than fourth in the championship races. Extra points can also be gained if he finishes in fifth place or higher during any Formula 1 practice sessions he participates in.

The story of Herta’s potential path to Formula 1 is certainly an interesting one. However, there has been a lot of rebuttal, stemming from concerns about his experience in the sport, as there are several other veteran drivers, including Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas, potentially available to lead the new team. Herta’s performance in IndyCar next year should be something to carefully keep an eye on as we inch closer to the 2026 season.

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2024-12-06 14:32

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