WHAT IS THE FIA SUPER LICENSE?

The FIA Super License, introduced in the early 90's, is a crucial requirement for any driver aspiring to race in Formula 1. It ensures that only the most skilled and experienced drivers can compete at the highest level of motorsport. Introduced to maintain safety and fairness, the system requires drivers to meet a set of strict criteria before they can join the F1 grid.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

• Minimum age of 18 years – The driver must be at least 18 years old when competing in their first Formula 1 Grand Prix. This rule was introduced after Max Verstappen’s debut at 17, ensuring drivers have sufficient maturity and experience before entering F1.
• International Grade A competition licence – The driver must hold an FIA International Grade A licence, which is the highest level of racing licence issued by the FIA and is required for top-level motorsport events.
• Valid road driving licence – A driver must also hold a standard road driving licence to demonstrate basic driving competence and responsibility.
• Pass an FIA theory exam – Similar to a regular driving licence, an F1 driver must pass a theory test issued by the FIA. This exam assesses their knowledge of the FIA Sporting Code, Formula 1 regulations, and race procedures to ensure they understand the rules of the sport before competing.
• Completion of at least 80% of two seasons in a recognised single-seater championship – To gain enough race experience, a driver must have completed at least 80% of two full seasons in a junior single-seater series where Super Licence points are awarded. This ensures they have sufficient on-track experience before stepping into F1.
• A minimum of 40 Super Licence points over the past three seasons – The driver must earn at least 40 Super Licence points across three racing seasons in FIA-approved junior categories. Points are awarded based on a driver’s finishing position in championships such as Formula 2, Formula 3, IndyCar, Super Formula, and WEC LMP1, among others.
• At least 300 km of F1 testing in a maximum of two days – A driver must have completed at least 300 kilometres of running in an F1 car in an official F1 session, such as a free practice session or a test approved by a national motorsport federation. This ensures they have experience handling an F1 car before entering a competitive race.

While these rules are strictly enforced, the FIA has occasionally made exceptions for exceptional talents who narrowly miss the 40-point requirement. However, such cases are rare, as seen in 2022 when IndyCar driver Colton Herta was denied an F1 Super License despite his strong performances. Another alternative is the Free Practice Super License, which allows young drivers to participate in F1 practice sessions if they have at least 25 Super License points and meet the testing requirements.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The cost of obtaining an FIA Super Licence is another significant factor that aspiring Formula 1 drivers must consider. The process of reaching F1 is already incredibly expensive, with junior categories such as Formula 2 costing millions of pounds per season, but even once a driver has secured the required points, the financial demands do not stop there.

The FIA charges a base fee of €10,400 for an F1 Super Licence. However, this is just the starting price. In addition to the base fee, drivers must pay €2,100 for every point they scored in the previous season’s World Championship. This means that the more successful a driver is, the more they must pay for their licence.

For example, Max Verstappen’s Super Licence for the 2024 season reportedly cost over €1 million, as he scored 575 points in the 2023 championship. This makes the Super Licence one of the most expensive racing licences in the world, and it is a significant expense that teams usually cover for their drivers.

For rookies entering F1, the cost is generally lower because they have not yet scored points in the championship. However, the costs of private testing, simulator work, and junior racing expenses leading up to F1 can easily total tens of millions of pounds, making the road to an F1 Super Licence financially challenging. This is why many young drivers rely on sponsorships, backing from F1 teams, or personal funding to support their careers.

POINTS AVARDED PER CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION