Colton Herta ‘just burning fuel’ as F1 future under attack
Cadillac F1 test driver Colton Herta
Colton Herta “has no place” in Formula 1, with Cadillac’s extra FP1 sessions for the American driver “just burning fuel.”
That is the very blunt opinion expressed by six-time grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher. While he supports Cadillac F1’s American driver ambitions, he firmly believes that Herta is not the answer, at a time when Valtteri Bottas’ F1 2027 future is in the spotlight.
Colton Herta not Formula 1 level, says Schumacher
While PlanetF1.com understands that Cadillac still favours retaining Bottas for next season, alternative options are emerging.
Included in those is Herta. The 26-year-old cleared a major hurdle by securing the final point required to obtain his FIA Super Licence, following a sixth FP1 session of the season at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
That now makes him eligible for an F1 2027 drive.
But in the opinion of Schumacher anyway, Herta does not belong anywhere near that seat.
He swapped IndyCar for Formula 2 in 2026 as part of his efforts to reach the F1 grid. That transition has proven challenging, Herta sat down in 19th in the championship standings with a maximum of two rounds remaining.
Asked about Herta’s credentials for a Cadillac F1 seat, Schumacher bluntly told Sky Germany: “Only if Easter and Christmas fell on the same day.
“No, honestly, it’s pointless. He’s just burning fuel, as Franz Tost [former Toro Rosso team principal] would say. I really don’t know what the point of it is.
“They might as well put other people – young people – in the car.
“Herta was really, really bad in Formula 2. As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t deserve it at all.
“I think it’s great that they’re trying to promote American drivers. But it has to make sense, and he has no place in Formula 1.”
Should Cadillac wish to look beyond Bottas for F1 2027, Schumacher presented a strong alternative, in his mind, to Herta.
He pointed to McLaren reserve Leonardo Fornaroli. The back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 champion looks set to miss out on an F1 seat for the second consecutive year, as things stand.
“Leonardo Fornaroli is certainly a candidate who would also deserve the chance,” said Schumacher. “After all, he has won the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships.
“He’s an absolutely top-class driver.”
More on Colton Herta from PlanetF1.com
FIA reaches Colton Herta decision after Brazilian Grand Prix incident
Valtteri Bottas reveals key Cadillac detail amid F1 2027 uncertainty
One-half of the Cadillac F1 line-up is set for the foreseeable future. Sergio Perez recently signed a new deal to stay with the team for at least the next three seasons.
Perez has said that he has a good relationship with Herta, but that experience is “key” in these early stages of the Cadillac F1 project, something which he and Bottas both offer in abundance.
The pair has won 16 grands prix between them, 10 for Bottas and six for Perez.
It is Bottas who has scored Cadillac’s best result so far in Formula 1, having finished P13 in China.
Continue reading: Sergio Perez issues Cadillac teammate verdict as Herta earns super licence
