FIA Super Licence

Last updated

The FIA Super Licence is a driver's qualification allowing the holder to compete in the Formula One World Championship.

Contents

Requirements

Super Licence

To qualify for an FIA Racing Super Licence an applicant must meet the requirements of the FIA's International Sporting Code, Appendix L, Article 5. [1] As of 2024, the article states:

  1. A minimum age of 18 at the start of their first F1 competition.
  2. An existing holder of an International Grade A competition licence.
  3. A holder of a valid driving licence. [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2]
  4. Passing of an FIA theory test on knowledge of the F1 sporting codes and regulations when applying for the first time. [lower-alpha 3]
  5. Completed at least 80% of each of two full seasons of any of the Championships reported in Supplement 1 of the regulations.
  6. Accumulated at least 40 points over the previous three seasons in any combination of the championships reported in Supplement 1 of the regulations.

Provided a driver has previously held a super licence, they do not have to meet these requirements:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, requirement 6 was amended where if the three-season window includes the year 2021, then the highest scoring three seasons out of the four previous seasons are to be counted. If a driver has accumulated at least 30 points and is currently competing in any of the Championships reported in Supplement 1 and has been unable to accumulate the 40 points due to "circumstances outside their control or reasons of force majeure", the licence may be granted at the discretion of the FIA. [1] [2]

As of May 3, 2024, [1] the Supplement 1 Super Licence points, which also qualify for the 80% rule, are awarded according to the following table:

SeriesChampionship position
1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th
FIA Formula 2 Championship 4040403020108643
IndyCar Series [upper-alpha 1] 40302010864321
FIA Formula 3 Championship 302520151297532
FIA Formula E Championship 30252010864321
FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar3024201612108642
Formula Regional European Championship 25201510753210
Super Formula Championship 25201510753210
FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 (folded 2023, expires post-2026)20161210864200
Super GT500 20161210753210
IMSA GTP [upper-alpha 1] 20161210753210
Formula Regional Middle East Championship 18141210643210
Formula Regional Asian Championship 18141210643210
Formula Regional Americas Championship 18141210643210
Formula Regional Japanese Championship 18141210643210
Formula Regional Oceania Championship 18141210643210
Formula Regional Indian Championship 18141210643210
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters 1512107532100
World Touring Car Cup (folded 2022, expires post-2025)1512107532100
Supercars Championship [upper-alpha 1] 1512107532100
NASCAR Cup Series [upper-alpha 1] 1512107532100
Indy NXT [upper-alpha 1] 1512107532100
W Series (folded 2022, expires post-2025)1512107532100
Euroformula Open 1512107532100
Super Formula Lights 1512107532100
Formula 4 Championships [upper-alpha 2] [upper-alpha 3] 121075321000
FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3121075321000
FIA World Endurance Championship LMGTE Pro (folded 2022, expires post-2025)121075321000
Asian / ELMS / IMSA LMP210864200000
FIA World Endurance Championship LMGTE Am (folded 2023, expires post-2026)10864200000
IMSA GTD Pro [upper-alpha 1] (removed post-2023, expires post-2026)10864200000
National Formula 3 Championships (removed post-2022, expires post-2025)10753100000
F1 Academy 10753100000
USF Pro 2000 Championship [upper-alpha 1] 10753100000
GB3 Championship 10753100000
NASCAR Xfinity Series [upper-alpha 1] 10753100000
International GT3 Series6420000000
Super GT300 6420000000
FIA Karting World Championships Senior [upper-alpha 4] 4321000000
FIA Karting Continental Championships Senior [upper-alpha 4] 3210000000
FIA Karting World Championships Junior [upper-alpha 4] 3210000000
FIA Karting Continental Championships Junior [upper-alpha 4] 2100000000
Source: [1]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Subject to 'road course' rounds being held on FIA-homologated circuits. (See List of motor racing circuits by FIA Grade for a full list) [3]
  2. ↑ The Driver must be at least 15 years old. If a driver competes in this FIA certified competition while under the age of 15, they will be ineligible for any Super Licence points in the current and the following two years.
  3. ↑ For 2023 only, Formula 4 South East Asia certified by the FIA is awarded 50% of the points listed in table, on completion of three (3) events using two (2) track layouts
  4. 1 2 3 4 A driver can accumulate a maximum of 12 points in FIA karting Championships. Points from karting are valid for five years.

In 2019, for a series to award Super Licence points, a championship season must consist of at least five events spanning at least three different circuits, with alternative circuit configurations considered to be separate circuits. Additionally, a series must have at least 12 drivers compete at any event and a minimum of 16 drivers compete across a season to meet the criteria for full points – a series with 12 or more drivers per event and between 12 and 15 over the course of a season will award 75% points, and a series with entry lists of 11 competitors or lower will not be eligible for points. Championships, such as the 2019 F3 Asian Winter Series, may be set aside points but cannot award them if the championship season does not meet these criteria. [4]

A driver can earn points from either 1 or 2 series in a calendar year. The results from a maximum of 2 championships can be accumulated from a single calendar year, provided that the start date of the second championship falls after the end date of the first championship during the year in question. [1]

For any season ending in 2020 or 2021 the criteria have decreased from racing five events to three, from three tracks to two and from 16 drivers on the first race to 10.

Drivers may also earn points for:

  1. 1 point – Driving at least 100 km during a Free Practice session for up to 10 points (with one point awarded per World Championship event)
  2. 2 points – Completing an FIA Championship with a penalty points system without receiving any penalty points.
  3. 5 points – Winning the Macau Grand Prix

If multiple drivers complete a season competing in the same car they will be awarded a fraction of their points according to their FIA Driver Categorisation:

  1. Platinum and Gold ranked drivers – 100% of the points received.
  2. Silver ranked drivers – 75% of the points received.
  3. Bronze ranked drivers – 50% of the points received.
  4. Drivers without a categorisation will be awarded no points.

Free Practice Only Super Licence

Beginning in the 2019 Formula One season the FIA introduced a requirement for drivers participating in free practice sessions to hold a stand-alone Free Practice Only Super Licence with the holding of a standard Super licence not automatically granting a Free Practice Only Super licence. The criteria are as follows:

  1. A minimum age of 18 at the start of their first F1 competition.
  2. An existing holder of an International Grade A competition licence.
  3. A holder of a valid driving licence when applying for the first time. [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2]
  4. Passing of an FIA theory test on knowledge of the F1 sporting codes and regulations when applying for the first time.
    1. When applying for the first time – Completion of either six races in Formula 2, or accumulated 25 Super Licence points in eligible championships during the previous three years.
    2. All subsequent applications – Completion of either a full season in Formula 2, or accumulated 25 Super Licence points in eligible championships during the previous three years.

Should the three-calendar year period include the year 2020, the FIA will consider the three seasons with most accumulated points in the season out of four seasons.

Renewal, sanctions, and costs

Probation periods and renewal

The FIA issue licences subject to a 12-month probation period after first issue which applies to full and free practice licence. At any time during the first 12 months the FIA may review and withdraw a super licence if the standards to continue holding a licence are not being met.

Super Licences are issued on an annual calendar year basis and must be renewed at the end of each year. [1]

Sanctions

The FIA have a series of sanctions which can be placed on a driver's Super Licence which are in the form of reprimands and penalty points. If a driver accumulated three reprimands over the course of a season the FIA may impose penalty points. If a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points in a 12-month period they will receive a one race ban for the next event they are scheduled to participate in. The issuing of penalty points is not subject to reprimands being issued as a pre-requisite. [1]

Costs

The FIA charges the licence holder an annual fee. According to a report on the BBC, the cost of a super licence rose by an average £8,700 in 2009, and there was an extra charge of €2,100 per point earned in 2008—up from €447 per point in 2007. [5] In 2009, Lewis Hamilton would pay £242,000 for his licence for the season.

Reducing the cost of the super licence represented a significant policy shift for FIA's then-president Max Mosley, who wrote to Formula 1 drivers in February 2009 suggesting that they "race elsewhere if they were unable to pay for their super licences." [6] After Mosley met with representatives from the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) on March 23, 2009, the FIA issued a statement: "Following a very positive meeting between FIA President Max Mosley and representatives of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), a proposal will be made to the World Motor Sport Council to revise super licence fees for drivers in the 2010 championship". [7]

In November 2012, however, FIA announced it would again increase the cost of the super licence. [8] According to McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, the proposed increase would lead to a basic fee of €10,000 ($12,800) for the super licence plus €1,000 ($1,280) for each World Championship point. [9] 2009 Formula 1 World Driver's Champion Jenson Button objected, and expressed his position that all current F1 drivers should pay the same flat fee for their super licences:

Personally I don't feel that we should be paying different super licence fees for different drivers and different point situations. I mean, when you get your licence to drive on the road, because you do more miles you don't pay more for it, do you? And you don't pay more for a licence in any other category because you've got a better car or whatever, so it should be a flat fee.

—  Jenson Button, [10]

Button's total super licensing costs for the 2010 season, based on his 2009 results, were variously reported as over a quarter of a million Euros by one source [11] and approximately €1M ($1.28M) by others. [12] [13]

Nationality of drivers

The nationality that appears on the racing licence is identical to a driver's passport. This is not necessarily the same as the country issuing the racing licence. A Frenchman living in Germany would receive a licence issued by the German motorsport authorities, but the nationality displayed on the licence would still be French. In order to race with a licence that displays German, the driver would need to have a German passport as well. Drivers with multiple citizenship choose their "official" nationality. [14]

As a result of this rule, several mistakes occurred on official entry lists issued by and podium ceremonies organized by the FIA or race organisers, the most notable relating to Eddie Irvine. He was a British citizen throughout his career and he held a racing licence issued by the National Sporting Authority of the Republic of Ireland. The FIA mistakenly issued official entry lists (for the 1995 and 1996 seasons) which stated that Irvine was competing as an Irish national. [15] [16] This situation also created some confusion as to Irvine's nationality when he appeared at podium ceremonies in the Formula One World Championship. During his earliest podium appearances (at the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix, 1996 Australian Grand Prix, 1997 Argentine Grand Prix and 1997 Monaco Grand Prix), an Irish Tricolour was mistakenly flown by the race organisers.

This rule, however, has not been in force since the beginning of the Formula One World Championship. In the past, the choice of the nationality was up to the driver. Jochen Rindt, for instance, chose to hold in Formula One an Austrian nationality. He competed with a license issued by the Austrian National Sporting Authority during his career, despite the fact he was born in Germany and had German and not Austrian citizenship. [17]

Notes

  1. 1 2 This must be for the country listed as their nationality.
  2. 1 2 This must allow the driving of motor vehicles on public roads and must be current and not suspended.
  3. ↑ For any subsequent applications, the drivers team needs to certify that they have held a briefing about the most important points of the International Sporting Code and of the F1 Sporting Regulations.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubens Barrichello</span> Brazilian racing driver (born 1972)

Rubens "Rubinho" Gonçalves Barrichello is a Brazilian professional racing driver who competed in Formula One between 1993 and 2011. He scored 11 Grand Prix wins and 68 podiums. As of 2023, he competes full-time in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, driving the No. 111 Toyota Corolla E210 for Full Time Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenson Button</span> British racing driver (born 1980)

Jenson Alexander Lyons Button is a British racing driver currently competing in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with Hertz Team Jota. He won the 2009 Formula One World Championship when he drove for the Brawn GP team. After his F1 career, he became champion of the 2018 season of the Super GT Series alongside Naoki Yamamoto, with whom he shared a Honda racing car at Team Kunimitsu. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing with support from Stewart-Haas Racing and sponsorship from Mobil 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Monaco Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2003

The 2003 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 1 June 2003 at the Circuit de Monaco. It was the seventh race of the 2003 Formula One World Championship. The 78-lap race was won by Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya, driving a Williams-BMW, with Finn Kimi Räikkönen second in a McLaren-Mercedes and German Michael Schumacher third in a Ferrari.

The 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It was the 55th FIA Formula One World Championship, and was contested over eighteen races from 7 March to 24 October 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro de la Rosa</span> Spanish racing driver (born 1971)

Pedro Martínez de la Rosa is a Spanish former Formula One driver who has participated in 107 Grands Prix for the Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT teams. He made his Formula One debut on 7 March 1999, becoming one of 79 drivers to score a point in his first race. He has scored a total of 35 championship points, which includes a podium finish at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) is the trade union of Formula One drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Rossiter</span>

James Stuart Rossiter is a British former professional racing driver, British motorsport executive and former team principal of Maserati MSG Racing in Formula E.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamui Kobayashi</span> Japanese racing driver (born 1986)

Kamui Kobayashi is a Japanese racing driver who currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Super Formula for Kids com Team KCMG, and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 50 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. He also serves as team principal for Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe for their FIA World Endurance Championship team. Kobayashi previously competed in Formula One, Formula E, the GP2 Series, and the GP2 Asia Series. He became champion of the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside co-drivers Mike Conway and José María López in the 2019–20 season and in 2021, where he also won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Formula One World Championship</span> 62nd season of the FIA Formula One World Championship

The 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 65th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. The original calendar for the 2011 Formula One World Championship consisted of twenty rounds, including the inaugural running of the Indian Grand Prix before the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Pirelli returned to the sport as tyre supplier for all teams, taking over from Bridgestone, marking their return to Formula One for the first time since the 1991 season. Red Bull Racing was the reigning Constructors' Champion. Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel was the defending Drivers' Champion, one of five World Champions appearing on the grid. Vettel won his second World Championship at the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver, at 24 years and 98 days, to do so. Red Bull Racing won the Constructors' Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Monaco Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2009 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that was held on 24 May 2009 at the Circuit de Monaco, in Monaco. The race, which was contested over 78 laps, was the sixth round of the 2009 Formula One season. It was won by Brawn GP driver Jenson Button, with his teammate Rubens Barrichello second, and Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddh International Circuit</span> Motorsport track in India

The Buddh International Circuit is an Indian motor racing circuit situated at Dankaur, near Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The track shares its name with Gautama Buddha, as does the district of its location. The track was officially inaugurated on 18 October 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roberto Merhi</span> Spanish racing driver (born 1991)

Roberto Merhi Muntan, is a Spanish racing driver who previously competed in Formula E for Mahindra Racing and who drove in Formula One. Merhi has also raced in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for Pons Racing, and won the Formula 3 Euro Series championship, while driving for Prema Powerteam. In 2018, he drove for MP Motorsport and Campos Vexatec Racing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Since 2019, he has competed in sportscar racing, including finishing third in the 2019–20 Asian Le Mans Series. In May 2023, it was announced he would drive for Mahindra Racing from the 2023 Jakarta ePrix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Formula One World Championship</span> 63rd season of the FIA Formula One World Championship

The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 66th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 63rd FIA Formula One World Championship, a motor racing series for Formula One cars, recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of motorsport – as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. The championship was contested over twenty rounds, which started in Australia on 18 March and ended in Brazil on 25 November. The 2012 season saw the return of the United States Grand Prix, which was held at the Circuit of the Americas, a purpose-built circuit in Austin, Texas. After being cancelled in 2011 due to civil protests, the Bahrain Grand Prix also returned to the calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoffel Vandoorne</span> Belgian racing driver (born 1992)

Stoffel Vandoorne is a Belgian professional racing driver who is currently racing for DS Penske in Formula E and Peugeot TotalEnergies in WEC. He had previously competed in Formula One for McLaren from 2016 to 2018. He was champion of the 2015 GP2 Series and the 2021–22 Formula E World Championship. He currently resides in both Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Roeselare (Belgium).

The 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 67th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 64th FIA Formula One World Championship, a motor racing series for Formula One cars, recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) – the governing body of motorsport – as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. Eleven teams and twenty-three drivers contested the nineteen Grands Prix that made up the calendar for the 2013 season, with the winning driver being crowned the World Drivers' Champion and the winning team the World Constructors' Champions. The season started in Australia on 17 March 2013 and ended in Brazil on 24 November 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naoki Yamamoto (racing driver)</span> Japanese racing driver

Naoki Yamamoto is a Japanese racing driver for Honda Racing Corporation, currently driving in Super GT with Team Kunimitsu and in Super Formula with Nakajima Racing. He is a three-time champion in Super Formula and a two-time champion in the GT500 class of Super GT. Yamamoto is also the only driver to have won both the Super Formula and GT500 championships in the same season multiple times, a feat which he accomplished in 2018 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Formula One World Championship</span> 68th season of FIA Formula One World Championship

The 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 71st season of Formula One motor racing. It featured the 68th Formula One World Championship, a motor racing championship for Formula One cars which is recognised by the sport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. Teams and drivers competed in twenty Grands Prix—starting in Australia on 26 March and ending in Abu Dhabi on 26 November—for the World Drivers' and World Constructors' championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Monaco Grand Prix</span> 6th round of the 2017 Formula One season

The 2017 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 28 May 2017 at the Circuit de Monaco, a street circuit that runs through the Principality of Monaco. It was the sixth round of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship, the seventy-fifth time that the Monaco Grand Prix has been held, and the sixty-fourth time it has been a round of the Formula One World Championship since the inception of the series in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Yas Island Formula 2 round</span> Motor racing event

The 2022 Yas Island FIA Formula 2 round was a motor racing event held between 18 and 20 November 2022 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was the final race of the 2022 Formula 2 Championship and was held in support of the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Appendix L to the International Sporting Code" (PDF). FIA. 2024-02-28.
  2. ↑ "Reverse engineering clampdown and super licence revisions approved by FIA". www.formula1.com. Formula 1. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  3. ↑ Page 65 in https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/appendix_l_2023_publie_le_7_decembre_2022.pdf
  4. ↑ "Ticktum F1 superlicence bid thwarted by eligibility rule". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "F1 set to cut super-licence fee". BBC. March 24, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association, which represents the majority of F1 drivers, had expressed its discontent at a hike in fees in 2008.
  6. ↑ "F1 set to cut super-licence fee". BBC. March 24, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. The decision to reduce the licence cost is a big turnaround for Mosley who, in February, wrote to Formula 1 drivers to suggest they race elsewhere if they were unable to pay for their super licences.
  7. ↑ "F1 set to cut super-licence fee". BBC. March 24, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. A number of other issues were discussed and the FIA has agreed to meet representatives of the GPDA on a regular basis to maintain what promises to be a constructive dialogue.
  8. ↑ "F1 drivers to pay more for their FIA super license". yallaf1.com. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. F1 drivers will also have to contribute, with Eason saying the cost of their super licence is facing "massive hikes".
  9. ↑ "Motorsports Governing Body FIA Increases License Fees For F1 Drivers' Super License". SportsBusinessDaily Global. November 6, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013. Whitmarsh shows understanding for FIA's "idea of increasing its revenue" in that manner.
  10. ↑ "Button wants flat super licence fee". ESPN F1.com. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. Jenson Button believes all drivers should pay the same amount for their super licence to race in Formula One.
  11. ↑ "Button wants flat super licence fee". ESPN F1.com. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013. I think I spent over a quarter of a million Euros on my licence to race that year!
  12. ↑ Witte Meier, Roman (November 5, 2012). "Royalties: When success is expensive". Motorsport-total.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013. When I won the World Cup because it was just really expensive. I had to pay about a million euros, if I remember rightly," said Jenson Button, who won the title in 2009.
  13. ↑ "Motorsports Governing Body FIA Increases License Fees For F1 Drivers' Super License". SportsBusinessDaily Global. November 6, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2013. When I won the title, it became really expensive. I had to pay pay an estimated €1M ($1.28M), if I remember correctly.
  14. ↑ "FIA International Sporting Code" (PDF). FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 13 October 2013. p. 34. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015. 9.5.2 All Drivers, irrespective of the nationality of their Licence, participating in any FIA World Championship Competition, shall retain the nationality of their passport in all official documents, publications and prize‐giving ceremonies.
  15. ↑ "Google". f1fanatic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  16. ↑ "1996 FIA Formula One World Championship Entry List" (PDF). FIA.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 4 December 1995. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2005. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Heß, Peter (5 September 2010). "Tod eines glücklichen Mannes". faz.net (in German). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.