IndyCar Standings Error Leaves Colton Herta One Point Short of F1 Superlicence

Colton Herta is actually still one point short of acquiring the FIA superlicence he would need to make his Formula 1 debut because of a bizarre error in the publication of IndyCar's standings.

Cadillac ran Herta in FP1 in Mexico as it believed he was one qualifying point away from the 40 needed for a superlicence and Herta completing at least 100 kilometres would ensure he gets that final point.

The team had verified its calculations with the FIA beforehand in July, hence the outfit's belief that it was only one point adrift.

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However, those calculations were ultimately based on erroneous results displayed on IndyCar's official website.

Those results had Herta listed as sixth in last year's drivers' championship, ahead of Felix Rosenqvist who he was tied on points with.

In reality, Rosenqvist should have been classified ahead because he earned more second-place finishes than Herta, matching the official results distributed by IndyCar at the end of the season.

The error remained on IndyCar's website until a reporter informed them of the mistake earlier this week, prompting an immediate correction to properly place Herta seventh.

That means he earns four superlicence points instead of six, which, combined with 30 points for finishing second in 2024, one point for finishing 10th in 2023, and four points for his FP1 outings this year, leaves him on 39 points.

There is a specific stipulation in the regulations allowing teams to count FP1 outings in a separate year to the standard three-year window used for championship results.

The International Sporting Code states that a free practice only superlicence holder will be granted one additional point per event following the successful completion of at least 100 km during a practice session, provided no penalty points were imposed.

A maximum total of 10 such additional points can be considered, counted on top of sporting results and independent of the calendar year in which the sessions were completed.

Cadillac is now highly likely to run Herta in another FP1 session this year to secure the 40 points needed, regardless of its ultimate 2027 driver lineup considerations.