Wanted: superlicense for winner

Newly crowned champion Robert Kubica was not able to drive for Minardi as their Friday tester in China two weeks ago, as he could not be granted a superlicence by virtue of his championship.

Instead, Kubica would have needed to complete 300kms of Formula One testing, and his superlicense would be voted on by a committee. With days before the Asian race, there would not have been sufficient time and opportunity to meet both these requirements.

Champions of several series - including less powerful formulae such as Italian and Japanese Formula Three - are eligible for a superlicence, however the World Series by Renault is not on the list.

Renault motor racing director Jean-Paul Mari told Autosport-Atlas that he would send a letter to the FIA asking for the situation to be reviewed, but declined to comment further on the matter.

The superlicense regulations are likely to be updated soon, because they do not include at the moment the GP2 series, which is marketed as Formula One's feeder series.