Colton Herta’s super license points explained amid Cadillac F1 seat talks

Colton Herta can potentially rebuild his F1 application come 2025. The F1 landscape might be on the verge of a historic change, with reports claiming that General Motors could enter the pinnacle of motorsport as the 11th team in 2026. But would the 24-year-old be eligible to join F1?

In 2022, Herta was considered for a 2023 F1 seat in Red Bull Racing's junior team, AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB). However, to be eligible to enter F1, all racing drivers need 40 points on their super license. Herta only had 32 back then. Even though the team enquired for an exemption from FIA, the governing body, their wish wasn't granted. However, the situation could be more favorable for the American driver for a 2026 seat.

The FIA considers a driver's super license points accumulation over 3 years preceding the application year or the 2-year period preceding the application and the points earned during the application year. If Colton Herta sends in his application in 2025 for a 2026 GM seat, the FIA will consider the super license points earned in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The IndyCar star has already earned 31 super license points - one in 2023 for finishing P10 in the championship and thirty in 2024 for finishing P2 in the championship. He would need nine more points in 2025 to be F1-ready.

There are two ways Colton Herta could do this. If he finishes a minimum of P4 in the IndyCar championship in 2025, he'll be awarded ten super license points (or more, depending on the higher position) and be directly eligible with 41 points. The alternative would be to finish P5 in the championship and earn eight super license points. This would take his tally to 39, and he could earn the remaining point by driving 100 kilometers in a Free Practice session for any F1 team during 2025.

In addition to this, FIA also requires drivers to pass a theory test on F1's sporting codes and have an International Grade A competition license. But this shouldn't be an issue for the 8-time race IndyCar winner considering his experience. However, even if Herta checks all the boxes, the Andretti variable would be in play.

Michael Andretti contract could play spoilsport in Colton Herta's potential F1 application

2024 Portland E-Prix - Shakedown & Practice - Source: Getty

After the FIA rejected Colton Herta's F1 application in 2022, the American driver signed a 4-year IndyCar contract extension with Andretti. This deal bounds him to the team through 2027.

If Herta's F1 ambitions rekindle before the contract ends, exit negotiations could turn sour. Moreover, F1 giving the green light to GM's solo bid for 2026 would also sting Michael Andretti, whose F1 bid was rejected earlier this year.

However, Michael Andretti's influence within the team reduced after Dan Towriss became the majority owner of Andretti Global in September.

On the super license points side, Colton Herta could very easily be eligible for a 2026 F1 entry if he sustains his 2024 brilliance into next year. The ball would then lie in Dan Towriss' court. He could either hold Herta back till the end of his IndyCar contract or fulfill his star driver's F1 dream earlier.