Cadillac’s Pérez Replacement Search Takes Fresh Turn as Colton Herta’s F1 Chances Fade – Colton Herta’s hopes of securing a Formula 1 seat with Cadillac in 2027 have suffered a major setback after his disappointing Formula 2 campaign left him struggling to obtain the Super Licence points he needs.
The American was viewed as a natural candidate for Cadillac from the beginning, combining significant IndyCar experience with commercial appeal as a homegrown driver for the new American F1 project.
However, Herta’s move to Formula 2 was designed to solve one specific problem: earning enough Super Licence points to make his F1 dream possible. His results so far suggest that plan is no longer working.
Herta’s Super Licence gamble is falling short
Herta entered the season with 35 Super Licence points and needed a top-eight championship finish to reach the 40-point threshold required for a full F1 licence.
Instead, his Formula 2 campaign has developed in the opposite direction. The American is currently only 16th in the championship, with most of his points arriving during the opening three rounds.
His form subsequently dropped significantly, leaving Herta with an increasingly difficult task if he is to climb far enough up the standings to change Cadillac’s thinking.
That is particularly damaging because his Formula 2 campaign was supposed to provide the results necessary to remove the biggest obstacle between him and an F1 debut.
Cadillac has alternatives to its original American target
Herta’s outright speed has never been the main question. His performances during his IndyCar career demonstrated considerable potential, while his nationality made him an especially attractive option for Cadillac.
But the new team also needs drivers capable of delivering results. Herta’s current Formula 2 position makes it increasingly difficult for Cadillac to justify prioritising him for a 2027 seat.
His situation is further complicated by the fact that teammate Ritomo Miyata currently sits higher in the championship. That comparison does little to strengthen Herta’s case as Cadillac evaluates its options.
The team therefore appears to have increasing reason to look elsewhere, particularly with several experienced and highly rated drivers already connected to the project.
Pérez and Bottas remain strong Cadillac candidates
Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas currently appear to be among the strongest candidates to continue with Cadillac into 2027.
Both experienced drivers have expressed confidence about their respective futures with Graeme Lowdon’s team, while Cadillac has also spoken positively about the value provided by its veteran line-up.
However, positive comments from a team do not guarantee that either driver will receive a new contract.
Cadillac has the opportunity to reshape its driver line-up as the project develops, and younger talent could become increasingly attractive if the team wants to build for the long term.
Ferrari junior Camara enters the conversation
One driver who could complicate the futures of Pérez and Bottas is Rafael Camara.
The 21-year-old Brazilian is also competing in Formula 2 and is currently third in the championship, giving him a significantly stronger statistical case than Herta at this stage of the season.
Camara is part of Ferrari’s junior programme and benefits from the Italian manufacturer’s support. That relationship could become particularly interesting because Cadillac uses Ferrari power units.
The traditional pathway for Ferrari juniors has involved Haas, but the growing relationship between Haas and Toyota could make that route less straightforward for some Ferrari-backed drivers.
That could potentially create an opening for Camara elsewhere, although he still has plenty to prove before he can be considered a realistic F1 candidate.
For Cadillac, however, the situation is increasingly clear: Herta’s Super Licence gamble has not produced the results the American needs, while Pérez, Bottas and emerging talents such as Camara give the team several alternatives as it considers its 2027 line-up.
Herta’s original appeal to Cadillac was based on a combination of speed, American identity and commercial value. His Formula 2 results have now weakened the most important sporting argument for his promotion, leaving Cadillac with a much wider choice as it plans its second season of Formula 1 competition.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
Craig Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
