FIA Super Licence Rule Could Prevent Cadillac From Dropping…. read more š details in the comments sectionĀ
Cadillacās hopes of making changes to their Formula 1 driver line-up could be delayed by a key FIA regulation, despite growing rumours surrounding Valtteri Bottasā future with the team.
The American constructor has endured a difficult start to life in Formula 1, failing to score a single point after the opening five races of the 2027 season. While the team continues to struggle with performance, attention has quickly shifted toward its driver pairing of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Both drivers arrived at Cadillac with huge amounts of experience. Perez previously raced for Red Bull and has multiple grand prix victories to his name, while Bottas is a 10-time race winner and former Mercedes driver. However, neither has managed to drag Cadillac into the points consistently.
Perez has had the upper hand in most of the direct battles between the two. The Mexican driver has outperformed Bottas in both qualifying sessions and race finishes across the opening rounds of the campaign. Despite this, Bottas still sits ahead of Perez in the championship standings after securing a 13th-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, which proved enough to edge him in the overall rankings.
Even though both drivers reportedly signed deals that run until the end of the 2027 season, speculation has already emerged suggesting Cadillac may consider replacing Bottas before then. The driver being linked to the seat is reserve racer Colton Herta.
Cadillacās interest in Herta is understandable. As an iconic American manufacturer entering Formula 1, the team is eager to place an American driver on the grid. Herta has long been viewed as one of the brightest talents in US motorsport, and the team sees him as a potential face of the project moving forward.
The 26-year-old spent several seasons competing in IndyCar before making a major career switch at the end of last year. Determined to pursue an F1 opportunity, Herta left the American series behind and joined Formula 2 in Europe. The move was designed to improve his chances of meeting Formula 1ās strict entry requirements and adapting to European-style racing.
However, one major obstacle currently stands in his way ā the FIA super licence system.
Under FIA regulations, every driver must collect at least 40 super licence points over a three-year period before they are eligible to compete in Formula 1. These points are earned through performances in approved racing categories, including Formula 2 and other FIA-sanctioned championships.
At present, Herta has not accumulated enough points to qualify for an F1 seat. After the opening three rounds of the current Formula 2 campaign, he has collected only 16 points and sits 12th in the standings.
The FIA awards super licence points based on championship finishing positions. In Formula 2, drivers who finish inside the top eight at the end of the season receive enough points to significantly strengthen their eligibility for Formula 1.
Because of this, Hertaās current championship position is not enough for him to secure the required total. Unless he can dramatically improve his results and finish inside the top eight, Cadillac would not be allowed to place him in an F1 race seat next season.
That regulation may ultimately protect Bottas from losing his place, at least for now. Even if Cadillac wanted to make a change, the FIAās rules mean they cannot simply promote Herta without him first qualifying for a super licence.
If Herta does manage to climb the standings later this year, discussions about a possible driver swap could become much more serious. Cadillac would then have the opportunity to field an American driver while continuing to build its identity in Formula 1.
But if he falls short of the required points threshold, the team may have no choice but to stick with Bottas and Perez through 2027. In that case, Hertaās earliest realistic chance of joining the F1 grid could be delayed until the 2028 season.