What is a super licence in Formula 1?
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To be able to compete in the Formula 1 Championship, a driver must have a super licence.
This licence is a qualification to enter F1, issued by governing body FIA.
The FIA issue several different licences for motorsport competitions, such as endurance or karting, but F1's licence is at the top level.
Several factors need to be ticked off for a driver to qualify for a super licence, according to the FIA's International Sporting Code.
To be applicable for a super licence, a driver must:
Hold an FIA-issued International Grade A licence, gained from Formula 2
Be at least 18 years old (but exemption may be given to a driver aged 17)
Pass a knowledge theory test on the International Sporting Code and F1 Sporting Regulations
Complete at least 80% of two separate seasons from any single-seater championship, approved by the FIA
Accumulate at least 40 points overall from a two or three-year period
If a driver has held a valid super licence for three seasons, they are eligible for a new one after they complete 100km in a free practice session.
The FIA will determine whether a driver can obtain a new licence if they have not held a valid one for more than three years.
Previously, drivers were required to have an ordinary driver's licence, but this rule was scrapped in 2024.
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How do drivers earn points to get a super licence?
A driver must collect a minimum of 40 points over a two or three-year period to be applicable for an F1 super licence.
They can be gained from a list of FIA-recognised championships. The higher the drivers finish a season, the more points they will receive.
These championships include the Formula series (F2, F3, Formula E and F1 Academy), IndyCar, World Endurance Championship and Nascar.
The top three in Formula 2 will receive 40 points, whereas in IndyCar, the champion will be awarded 40 points, second place gets 30 and third gets 20.
In F3 and FE, the champion will receive 30 points, second 25 points, and third 20 points.
Drivers that hold a 'free practice only' super licence can gain points when they complete 100km during F1 practice sessions.
To obtain this specific licence a driver must be at least 18 years old, hold a Grade A licence, pass the FIA theory test, and complete either six races in F2 or accumulate 25 super licence points in three seasons.
Why can't Herta get a super licence?
American driver Colton Herta was set to be in the Cadillac line-up in Formula 1, however the 25-year-old does not have enough points to qualify for a super licence.
Herta has a total of 35 super licence points after his recent three seasons of IndyCar.
He will lose one point next year after his result in 2023 expires, taking him to a total of 34 points.
Instead, he will be the test driver for Cadillac in 2026, while also competing in F2 after he left IndyCar.
In F2, Herta will need to finish the season in the top eight to secure 40 points or more in order to be able to get his super licence.
Thank you to Steve in Plymouth for your question.
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