Mastering the FIA Super License requires winning races, accumulating points, and rigorous testing. Discover the demanding path to F1's elite driving privilege.
The First Step: FIA International Grade A License
I often asked how some F1 rookies drove Formula One cars before they even got their provisional driver's license, and how they can fail their provisional driver's license but still earn their FIA Super Licenses. Well, there are criteria that must be met for motorsport athletes to earn their FIA Super Licenses.
A driver must earn top finishes in FIA-approved single-seater series such as F2 or F3. They must accumulate points with their license. They must also have significant experience, having completed at least 2 full seasons in championships. Finally, they must pass an FIA Theory Test on sporting regulations.
The Next Step! FIA Super License
The Super License system plays a critical role in maintaining Formula One’s standards. Similar to the International Grade A license, points are awarded based on championship finishing positions, following the FIA Sporting Code, which explains all possible points that can be awarded per championship classification, like Formula One, FIA WEC, IndyCar, and more.
Apart from that, the F1 team interested in a driver must show that the driver completed at least 300km in that team's car. This is why we often see F2 drivers appear in FP1 sessions before an F1 race; they might be working for their Super License, and to do that, they need yet another license, which is the Free Practice Only Super License. Drivers holding a Free Practice Only Super License are awarded one extra point per FIA Formula One World Championship event.
Base and Point Fees: "Pay to Play"
And of course, its not Formula One without large amounts of money being spent, there is also a large fee that is needed to be paid to the FIA, a base fee is around €11,453, and an extra €2,313 per point a driver scores, which means, the better the driver, the more points a driver scores, the more expensive the fee is.
You can read more about how performance drives the cost of an FIA Super License. here!
This is why sponsorships are so important for Formula One drivers; they help immensely with covering the costs of their F1 careers.
Super License Exceptions
- The Super License is allowed for drivers that are 18 or older, but the FIA can grant exceptions for 17 year old's if they notice and accept their exceptional talentThe Super License is allowed for drivers who are 18 or older, but the FIA can grant exceptions for 17-year-olds if they notice and accept their exceptional talent.
Max Verstappen is a great example of a young driver who was granted an exception at the age of only 17 and debuted as an F1 driver. As a result of his early debut, the FIA later enforced a minimum age of 18 for Super License eligibility.
- If a Driver can complete a championship without gathering any penalty points, they will be awarded 2 extra points towards their license.
- A driver must also have a provisional driver's license, but as of recently, this requirement was dropped only for young drivers with great maturity in a single-seat series.
Acceptance
Aspiring F1 drivers have to go through a lot of training to acquire their FIA Super Licenses. It can take years of training, which is why kids start karting at such a young age, so they can get their kickstart to their careers. It is very important for them to make their mark and show their talents as soon as possible to increase their chances of earning their FIA Super License.