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The Super License is essential for entering Formula 1. Although it can be difficult to understand, FanF1 explains everything.
Behind every place on the Formula 1 starting grid lies a rigorous selection process that dates back to the early 1980s. The FIA introduced the Super License in 1982 to ensure that only drivers who met a set of strict criteria could drive an F1 car, but its implementation was delayed until 1984 due to a wave of controversy.
For decades, the rules remained virtually unchanged, until the 2014 debut of Max Verstappen, then aged 16, sparked a new debate. The fallout from this case led to a major overhaul in 2016, which made it more difficult to enter the elite of the sport.
On paper, the super license is available to anyone, but the reality is much more demanding. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold an international A license, have a valid driver's license, and complete the FIA questionnaire on the International Sporting Code. Beyond the administrative formalities, they must prove that they have significant experience in motor racing and that they have recently driven an F1 car.
The required experience is quantified using a points system. Drivers earn points for their results in FIA-recognized categories and must accumulate a total of 40 points over three years. They must also have competed in at least 80% of the races in two seasons of an FIA single-seater series. Additional points can be earned, for example, by participating in a free practice session at a Grand Prix (one point). A driver can combine two separate categories during a calendar year, provided that the seasons do not overlap. This license should not be confused with the separate points system used to track penalties imposed on drivers.
Reaching the 40-point threshold is only part of the equation. Candidates must also cover 300 km at racing speed in an F1 car during private or official test sessions. Yuki Tsunoda, for example, logged the required mileage during private tests with Alpha Tauri before his super license was approved.
Once all the requirements have been met (age, previous licenses, points, and track mileage), the driver receives the super license and is allowed to begin a career in Formula 1. The bar remains high, but for those who manage to accumulate the points and mileage, the world's premier motorsport series is finally within reach.
