Find out why Sergio Perez must pay a rising FIA Super Licence fee as Cadillac enters Formula 1 and the 2026 rules change everything.
Sergio Perez will be required to pay a significant fee to the FIA in order to compete in the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, a detail that often flies under the radar for fans but highlights how performance directly impacts a driver’s cost of staying on the grid.
According to information published by PlanetF1, the Mexican driver must pay thousands of euros to secure his FIA Super Licence for 2026. The base fee sits around €11,842, but that figure quickly rises depending on performance, as drivers are charged an additional €2,392 for every championship point scored in the previous season.
In short, the better you perform, the more expensive it becomes just to race the following year. This system has created massive gaps between drivers at the top and those further down the grid, reinforcing the idea that success in Formula 1 carries both sporting and financial consequences.
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How performance drives the cost of an FIA Super Licence
Lando Norris currently holds the most expensive Super Licence for the 2026 season, with a total cost exceeding €1,023,000 after his strong 2025 campaign. Even that figure, however, falls short of the staggering €1.3 million Max Verstappen was forced to pay following his dominant 2023 season, one of the most overwhelming performances in modern Formula 1 history.
The contrast across the grid is striking. Carlos Sainz managed to save more than half a million euros after moving to Williams, a change that significantly reduced his championship points total and, in turn, the cost of his licence. Meanwhile, his former Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc will reportedly pay just under €250,000 less than he did for his current Super Licence, reflecting a drop in points compared to previous seasons.
For Perez, the payment is another reminder that Formula 1 isn’t just about talent and speed—it’s also about navigating the financial realities that come with competing at the highest level of motorsport. While Super Licence fees are rarely discussed publicly, they can have a tangible impact, especially for drivers negotiating contracts, performance clauses, or future seats on the grid.
Perez’s situation also comes as he prepares for his officially confirmed return to the Formula 1 grid with Cadillac in 2026. The Mexican driver has been announced as part of the American manufacturer’s debut project, bringing experience and leadership to a brand-new team entering the sport. As Cadillac builds its foundation under the new regulations, Perez’s role will be crucial both on and off the track.