FORMULA 1 drivers can all have their own flair and temperament on the track.

However, from seven-time world champions like Lewis Hamilton to rookies like Franco Colapinto, all motorsport drivers have one thing in common: an FIA Super License.

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In the vast and incredibly diverse world of motorsport, all kinds of licenses are issued for different events.

However, for F1The FIA ​​– the governing body of world motorsport – requires a full, high-level Super License.

Drivers must strictly adhere to license rules or face a racing ban, as was the case with F1 star Kevin Magnussen earlier this season.

Below we review the fundamental rules and requirements that bind every F1 driver and F1 aspiring driver, as detailed in the International Sporting Code:

Must be at least 18 years old

The first condition to obtain the Super License is simple: be at least 18 years old at the time of your first race.

That said, exceptions to this rule have been made for people aged 17 and over.

The reason for this exception is explained as follows in Appendix L, Article 5 of the Sporting Code: “At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and regularly demonstrated exceptional ability and maturity in car competitions single-seater formula. can be granted a super license for free trials only
at the age of 17.”

Max Verstappen is the only case where this exemption is granted, his appearance at the age of 17 years and 166 days at the Australian Grand Prix in 2015 making him the youngest driver in F1 history.

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Holder of a grade A international competition license

The second requirement is that pilots have a Level A international competition license.

The grade A license is obtained through participation in lower level competitions such as F2, F3, karting or rally cars.

This system was introduced in 2021 and came into force from 2022.

Adam Baker, then FIA safety director, said: “This represents one of the most significant changes to the FIA ​​International Driving Permit structure in a decade, and is the culmination of more than two years of hard work between the FIA ​​sporting departments. , the FIA ​​Sporting Commissions and a working group of National Sporting Authorities.”

Pass an FIA theory test

The third point of the code is as follows: “The driver must
successfully complete a question session concerning the most important points of the International Sporting Code and the F1 Sporting Regulations.”

For any subsequent request, the team must certify having had a briefing with the driver on the most important points of the International Sporting Code.

Has completed at least 80% of each of the two full seasons of one of the championships mentioned in Supplement 1 of the regulations.

A driver cannot hope to appear in F1 without solid experience in the junior single-seater categories.

Therefore, when applying for the first time, drivers must have completed at least 80 percent of two full Championship seasons specified in Supplement 1 of the regulations.

These series include, but are not limited to, F2, F3, IndyCar, Formula EFIA WEC/Hypercar, DTM, Nascar and F1 Academy.

F1 journalist Isabelle Barker’s prediction

I expect Max Verstappen to be firing on all cylinders over the next six rounds. I also think his experience and aggressiveness could give him the advantage.

It seems too little, too late for Norris to show any consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.

We can’t help but think about what might have happened if he had sorted out his first-round issues sooner.

Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he has the speed, the team and the fastest car.

Verstappen had an eight-race winless streak, but he still managed to score points, with three second places during that period.

So I think the Dutchman will win his fourth world title this season, just barely.

Have accumulated at least 40 license points

However, it’s not enough to simply run through the lower levels.

Drivers must accumulate a total of 40 license points over the previous three racing seasons.

Different series give different reward values. For example, winning the championship in IndyCar or F2 gives a driver the 40 points they would need to be eligible to enter F1.

Beyond that, F2 is the highest paying series in terms of license points, with a driver finishing even 10th being able to acquire three license points.

However, drivers such as Oliver Bearman have been allowed to compete in F1 without a full season of F2 under their belt due to their strong performances in lower series such as F3, with the total of the last three seasons coming into play.

Requirements are slightly reduced for returning F1 drivers, as we’ve seen previously with Fernando Alonsowith the number of required license points reduced to 30.

Returning drivers must have covered at least 300km in a representative F1 car “at constant racing speeds” over no more than two days and driven no more than 180 days prior to application.

F1 stars are also being considered for renewal “on the sole determination of the FIA ​​to have recently and consistently demonstrated exceptional capabilities in single-seater formula cars”.

Do not accumulate 12 penalty points

A 12-month probationary period comes into play after a driver is granted a license, with the FIA ​​able to withdraw the license at any time if standards are not met.

Once drivers have a license, they must then follow the rules and avoid earning 12 penalty points on their license.

Magnussen failed to do so earlier in the season and was subsequently banned from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Dane was the first to break this penalty points ban rule, but this saw his penalty points reduced to zero.

The move to the penalty system was introduced in 2014 with the aim of targeting repeat offenders responsible for accidents. Causing a collision is worth three penalty points against the Super License.

Following the Mexican Grand PrixAlonso has eight points and none will expire until the end of March 2025, while Verstappen’s double penalty with Lando Norris saw him score two points and move to six penalty points.

Done F1 2024 race calendar – details on each Grand Prix and start time this year

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