RALF SCHUMACHER SLAMS COLTON HERTA'S F1 PROSPECTS: "HE'S JUST BURNING FUEL"

Ralf Schumacher torched Colton Herta's F1 credentials after the American's Friday practice run at Interlagos, saying Herta is "just burning fuel" and has "no place in Formula 1." The Sky Germany pundit dismissed Herta's shot at Cadillac's second 2027 seat, pointing to a dismal F2 campaign — 19th in the standings, zero wins, zero podiums. Herta secured his super licence through IndyCar results (nine wins, 2024 runner-up) and Friday practice appearances, not F2 performance. Schumacher wants Cadillac to hand the seat to proven juniors like McLaren's Leonardo Fornaroli instead.

The timing stings. Herta just clinched the final super licence point he needed, making him eligible on paper for 2027. But he trailed Valtteri Bottas by nine tenths in their FP1 head-to-head. With Perez locked through 2029 and Bottas' status uncertain, Herta's window may close before it ever opened. The American F1 dream runs into European skepticism again.