Understand the points system, requirements and importance of the Formula 1 ‘driving license’
The FIA Super License is the most coveted document for young drivers around the world. Far from being a mere formality, it works like F1’s “driver’s license”, a rigorous system that certifies that a competitor has the skill, experience and maturity necessary to drive the fastest cars on the planet. Instituted to guarantee safety and the high technical level of the category, the license is a mandatory prerequisite for any driver who wants to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. This article details exactly what a driver needs to do to obtain the Super License, explaining the points system and other criteria.
What is the Super License and why does it exist?
The Super License was introduced by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in the 1980s, but its rules were significantly tightened in 2016. The main motivation for the change was Max Verstappen’s debut in 2015 at the age of 17, which, despite his undeniable talent, sparked a debate about the need for a more structured path for drivers to reach F1.
The aim of the current system is to ensure that riders not only demonstrate speed, but also consistency and experience in high-level youth categories. It serves as a filter, ensuring that only the most prepared and qualified competitors occupy one of the 20 seats on the grid, increasing the safety and competitiveness of the sport.
Requirements: how a driver gets 40 points
To be eligible for the Super License, a pilot must meet a series of strict criteria. The best known is the points system, which requires the accumulation of a minimum of 40 points over three consecutive seasons in FIA-sanctioned championships.
The main requirements are:
- Minimum age: Be at least 18 years old at the start of your first F1 competition.
- Driver’s license: Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Knowledge test: Pass a test on the FIA International Sporting Code and the F1 Sporting Regulations.
- Minimum score: Accumulate at least 40 Super License points.
Points are distributed based on the driver’s final classification in base championships. The FIA assigns different weights to each category, reflecting their level of competitiveness and relevance in training for F1. Some examples of the distribution of points for the champion in each category are:
- Formula 2: 40 points
- IndyCar Series: 40 points
- Formula 3: 30 points
- Formula E: 30 points
- WEC (Hypercar): 30 points
- Super Formula (Japan): 25 points
- European Regional Formula (FRECA): 25 points
Drivers who compete in multiple categories can earn points, but only the results of two championships per year are considered. In cases of force majeure, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the FIA may allow drivers to consider the three best results from the last four years.
Costs, renewal and free training license
In addition to the performance requirements, the Super License also has a significant financial cost. There is an initial issuance fee and an annual renewal fee, the value of which increases based on the number of points the driver scored in the previous F1 season.
There is also a “Free Practice Only Super License”. It allows younger and less experienced drivers, who have not yet accumulated 40 points, to participate in Friday free practice sessions at a Grand Prix. To obtain it, the driver needs 25 license points or to have competed in at least six Formula 2 events. This is a crucial tool for teams to evaluate new talent in a real F1 environment.
The Super License system is therefore a fundamental pillar of modern Formula 1. It establishes a clear and meritocratic path for drivers, ensuring that reaching the grid is the result of consistent and proven success in the most challenging categories of motorsport. More than a document, the Super License represents the final validation of a driver’s journey towards the pinnacle of motorsport.
