Ralf Schumacher slams Colton Herta's F1 prospects: "He's just burning fuel"

On the face of it, Friday at Interlagos could hardly have gone any better for Colton Herta. The Cadillac test driver replaced Sergio Perez in first practice for the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, completed 24 laps and secured the final point he needed for his FIA super licence. On paper, the American is now eligible to race in Formula 1 in 2027.

Former F1 driver turned pundit Ralf Schumacher, however, is having none of it. Asked whether Herta could be a candidate for the second Cadillac seat alongside Perez, the Sky Germany pundit replied: "Only if Easter and Christmas fall on the same day. Seriously, it's pointless. He's just burning fuel, to borrow a phrase from Franz Tost. I don't even know what the point of it is. You might as well put someone else in the car, give some young drivers a chance."