FIA reveals details of new F1 superlicence points system
The FIA has revealed details of the new points system that will be used to qualify for mandatory Formula 1 superlicences
As part of a clampdown on young and inexperienced drivers getting to F1 following Max Verstappen's signing by Toro Rosso, the FIA in December ratified a new system that will be used for 2016.
From next year, drivers will need to be at least 18 years old, have passed a test on sporting regulations, and completed at least two years in junior single-seater categories to qualify.
The details of the new licence points system have now been clarified - with drivers needing to have scored at least 40 points during the three-year period preceding the application.
Only five championships deliver those 40 points for title success - IndyCar, the World Endurance Championship (LMP1), the Formula 3 European Championship, GP2 and a future Formula 2 championship.
It means the winners of GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5 would need to have achieved success in previous seasons to be able to qualify for a superlicence.
Although there has been no official confirmation from the FIA about plans for an F2 championship, it has weighted the category with the most points - with third place in the standings worth as much as title success in F3, WEC and IndyCar.
Verstappen finished third in the F3 standings last year, which would have earned him just 20 points on the new licence system, and forced him to either race again in the category or move up to GP2.
Championship position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Future FIA F2 Championship 60 50 40 30 20 10 8 6 4 3 GP2 Series 50 40 30 20 10 8 6 4 3 2 FIA F3 European Championship 40 30 20 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 FIA WEC (LMP1 only) 40 30 20 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 IndyCar 40 30 20 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 GP3 Series 30 20 15 10 7 5 3 2 1 0 Formula Renault 3.5 30 20 15 10 7 5 3 2 1 0 Japanese Super Formula 20 15 10 7 5 3 2 1 0 0 National F4 championships (FIA) 10 7 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 National F3 championships 10 7 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 Formula Renault (EuroCup, ALPS, NEC) 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
FIA still chasing answers over bizarre Shanghai F1 grass fires
Audi a player, not a spectator, in F1 driver market - Sauber
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Albon: No point 'wallowing about' over lost Red Bull F1 place
The small change that will be F1 2021's big talking point
FIA still chasing answers over bizarre Shanghai F1 grass fires
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Hamilton expects to lose positions if F1 China sprint is dry
Verstappen 'deserves' fourth in China F1 sprint qualifying with wet struggles
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments