Formula 1 Superlicence: The Ticket to the Fastest Show on Earth

I. Introduction

The Formula 1 Superlicence is a mandatory license that allows drivers to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.  It was first introduced in 1990 by FIA as a response to concerns about the safety of drivers in Formula 1, as the championship had become increasingly dangerous due to the high speeds and advanced technology of the cars. The Superlicence is an essential requirement for drivers who wish to race in Formula 1, and it is considered to be one of the most valuable documents in the world of motorsports. Without a Superlicence, a driver cannot compete in the championship, regardless of their skill level or experience. To obtain a Superlicence, a driver must demonstrate their proficiency by earning a set number of points through competing in various racing categories. This system was put in place to ensure that only the best and most qualified drivers could race in the Formula 1 World Championship, which would reduce the risk of accidents and improve safety on the track.

Over the years, the Superlicence system has undergone several changes and updates to reflect the changing landscape of motorsports. The FIA regularly reviews and updates the Superlicence requirements to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the Formula 1 championship and maintain the safety and competitiveness of the sport.

II. Requirements for Obtaining a Formula 1 Superlicence

To obtain a Formula 1 Superlicence, a driver must meet several requirements set by the FIA. The requirements for obtaining a Superlicence include:

• Minimum Age Requirement: A driver must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a Superlicence. However, drivers who are 17 years old may be granted a Superlicence if they have demonstrated exceptional driving ability.
• Mandatory Experience: Drivers must have completed a certain amount of experience in junior racing categories. For example, drivers must have completed at least two full seasons in Formula 2 or have accumulated a set number of points in other lower categories.
• Medical Requirements: Drivers must pass a medical examination to ensure they are physically fit to drive in Formula 1.
• Driving Test: Drivers who have not previously held a Superlicence must also pass a driving test conducted by the FIA to demonstrate their driving ability.
• Points System: Drivers must accumulate 40 points over the previous three seasons of racing. The number of points required depends on the level of competition in which the driver has been competing. For example, drivers who compete in Formula 2 or IndyCar will earn more Superlicence points than drivers who compete in less prestigious racing series. Here are the points received for finishing in the top 3 of the following competitions:

In addition to the points table above, there are a few ways in which would-be F1 drivers can add to their Super Licence tallies, covering clean driving in their primary championships, the prestigious Macau Grand Prix (F3 World Cup) and trouble-free practice runs at Grand Prix weekends:

• For the FIA championships where a penalty points system is in place, any driver having competed in the whole championship without being given any penalty points will be granted an additional two points on top of their sporting results.
• The winner of the FIA F3 World Cup will be granted an additional five points on top of their sporting result.
• A Free Practice Only Superlicence holder will be granted one additional point per FIA Formula One World Championship event following successful completion of at least 100km during a free practice session, provided that no penalty points were imposed. A maximum total of 10 such additional points shall be considered for a Superlicence application

III. Nationality Requirements for a Superlicence

To be eligible for a Formula 1 Superlicence, a driver must hold a valid racing license issued by the motorsport authority of their country or territory. In addition to this, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) also requires drivers to meet certain nationality requirements to be eligible for a Superlicence. There are three different ways for drivers to meet the nationality requirements:

• Citizenship: A driver must be a citizen of the country in which their racing license was issued. For example, a driver with a racing license issued by the United Kingdom must be a UK citizen to be eligible for a Superlicence.
• Permanent residency: If a driver is not a citizen of the country in which their racing license was issued, they must have permanent residency in that country. For example, a driver with a racing license issued by Australia but who is not an Australian citizen can still be eligible for a Superlicence if they have permanent residency in Australia.
• Exceptional circumstances: In certain exceptional circumstances, the FIA may grant a Superlicence to a driver who does not meet the citizenship or permanent residency requirements. These exceptional circumstances include cases where a driver is stateless or where a driver has made an exceptional contribution to motorsport.

It is worth noting that the FIA can grant exemptions to the nationality requirements on a case-by-case basis. For example, some drivers who have competed in recognized racing categories outside of their home country may be eligible for a Superlicence even if they do not meet the nationality requirements.

IV. Drivers and Team points costs in Formula 1

Drivers and teams are charged a fee to participate in the world championship based on their results the previous year, with a flat fee adding to a set amount per point scored. According to the 2023 FIA Sporting Regulations, all teams are required to pay a flat rate of 617.687 dollars, plus a fee per point scored. That points fee has risen from 6.926 to 7.441 dollars per point for the constructors' world champion and from 5.770 to 6.174 dollars per point for the remaining nine teams. The driver feed are not made public, but leaks suggest that for 2023 the point fee has increased by 30% from 1623 to 2100 dollars per point. The calculations suggest that FIA is baking 26.7 million dollars from teams and drivers for the points accumulated during the 2022 season:

Speaking to a journalist, World Champion Max Verstappen also called the sum "absurd". "I don't think it's right that we have to pay so much," he said earlier this winter. "It's not the case in other sports either. And there are more and more races..."

VIII. Conclusion

The Superlicence system is a crucial component of professional motorsports, and it is designed to ensure that only the best and most skilled drivers are able to compete at the highest levels of the sport. While the system has been in place for many years, there have been ongoing discussions and debates about how it should be updated and improved to better reflect the changing landscape of motorsports.

Looking to the future, it is likely that the Superlicence system will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of the sport. Some possible changes that could be made include:

• Updating the criteria for earning a Superlicence to better reflect the skills and experience required for success in modern motorsports.
• Introducing a more rigorous testing and evaluation process to ensure that drivers are truly prepared to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
• Exploring the use of new technologies and data analysis tools to better evaluate driver performance and potential.
• Developing new programs and initiatives to support the development of young drivers and help them progress through the ranks of motorsports.

Ultimately, the goal of the Superlicence system is to ensure that the best and most skilled drivers are able to compete at the highest levels of the sport, while also promoting safety and fair competition. As motorsports continue to evolve and grow, the Superlicence system will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of the sport.