Cadillac have announced that Sergio Perez will be replaced for FP1 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, a decision that could have major implications for his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas.
The new team, entering Formula One for the first time this season, have endured a difficult campaign marked by poor results and worrying incidents, including Bottas' crash at last week's Mexican GP.
Herta steps in at Interlagos
Perez recently signed a new deal until 2029, but 26-year-old American driver Colton Herta will take his place at Interlagos. For Herta, this will be his sixth Friday practice session of the season, as he continues to push for an F1 seat next year despite a difficult F2 campaign.
Herta, Cadillac's reserve driver, received praise from team principal Marcin Budkowski as he prepares to replace Perez.
"I'm also pleased to see Colton return to the MAC-26 for another FP1 outing, stepping in for Checo," Budkowski said. "His growth in the car across his sessions has been impressive, and his feedback remains invaluable to our 2027 development program."
Herta eyes superlicense and Bottas seat
Herta added: "I'm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the MAC-26 for another FP1 session. Interlagos is such an iconic, historic track, and driving an F1 car around there is going to be an awesome experience.
"Every time I've stepped into the car this year, from Barcelona to Budapest, COTA and Mexico City, I've felt more comfortable and better integrated with the engineering team. My goal for Friday morning in Brazil is the same: execute the run plan cleanly, give Checo and the engineers the best possible setup data to start their weekend, and keep building on my progress in the car. I'm grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity."
The move ends confusion over Herta's superlicense after an FIA investigation revealed he remained one point short of the 40-point threshold needed for a permanent F1 seat.
Herta has been given another FP1 opportunity as Cadillac consider promoting the nine-time IndyCar champion to replace Bottas next season. He needs to complete 24 laps to gain that final superlicense point and officially enter contention to succeed Bottas, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Bottas responds to speculation
Addressing rumours he could lose his seat to Herta, Bottas said: "I don't really have much to say. That's the situation, there's rumours. I have nothing really to say. We'll find out eventually.
"Well, it would make sense to me. That's what it reads on the paper, so that's why I'm pretty confident.
"For me, it was always clear who's here for next year. Obviously, it is... Checo made an extension. I haven't made a further extension yet.
"But I'm sure in a big company there's always the board meetings. They could improve the final decisions. I believe those are soon.
"I think everything just needs to be validated with the big bosses in the USA."
