The Super License, how does it work?

The Super License. Essential for being able to ride Formula 1, the precious sesame arouses a lot of desire among drivers wishing to reach the premier category. This season, it's Colton Herta's turn to be at the center of the discussions for obtaining the famous authorization. Established in 1984 and revised in 2016, the Super License remains for many an obscure document, difficult to understand. To help you see things more clearly, AUTOhebdo explains how it works.

What is the Super License?

The Super License is the official document issued by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to be able to participate in the Formula 1 World Championship. It allows its holder to prove that he has the qualifications required to drive a car in the premier category. Created in 1984, the Super License aimed to prevent drivers who do not have the necessary abilities from racing in F1.

The legislation linked to this document evolved in 2016, this time to counteract the fashion for “paying drivers” and the rejuvenation of the grid. In 2014, the young Max Verstappen, only 16 years old, was confirmed by Toro Rosso for the 2015 season despite a short experience in Formula 3 Europe. The Dutchman had obtained his Super License by completing the required 300 kilometers in a test session. This authorization caused a little controversy at the time, with some considering that Verstappen's age and background was too light, hence a rethinking of the criteria for obtaining it.

The Super License, how to obtain it?

There are a multitude of criteria to be met to obtain the Super License. To get it, here are the primary conditions: 

– be at least aged 18

– be the holder of a driver's license valid (Permit B)

– be the holder of a Degree A license Valid FIA International

- to submit to a question session concerning the most important points of the International Sporting Code and the F1 Sporting Regulations

From there, things get complicated. To be eligible for the Super License, the driver must obtain a minimum total of 40 points in championships approved by the FIA. Each championship has its own points scale, depending on its importance, the difficulty of the championship and its international reputation. 

Here is the complete table of all FIA approved competitions which award points for the Super License:

Each driver accumulates points over the seasons and their rankings in the various championships in which they participated. There are two scenarios for counting the total points valid for the Super License:

- or the points accumulated over the last three calendar years preceding the year of the date of the request (Example: for a request in 2022, we count the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons)

- either the points accumulated over the last two calendar years, in addition to the points accumulated during the calendar year demand (Example : for a request in 2022, we count the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons)

The choice between the two scenarios is made according to which gives the most points to the driver.

With the disruptions linked to the global health crisis, the rule has been reshaped: if the three calendar years immediately preceding the date of the request include the calendar year 2020 or 2021, the FIA ​​will take into consideration the greater number of points accumulated during three of the four calendar years immediately preceding the year of the date of application.

Example: Colton Herta finished 7th inIndyCar in 2019 (4 points), 3rd in IndyCar in 2020 (20 points) and 5th in IndyCar in 2021 (8 points). The American therefore currently has 32 points.
Herta is currently 10th in IndyCar (1 point), which would be its worst result over the last 4 years (2022 included). His best total would therefore remain at 32 points in 2023.

When a driver obtains a minimum total of 40 points, he can finally claim the Super License. Last criterion: you must have traveled at least 300 kilometers aboard a Formula 1 single-seater. These kilometers can be covered during free practice on race weekends, or during private tests organized by the team.

The Super License, what alternative solutions?

The FIA ​​regulations relating to the Super License grant some exceptions to obtain the document without having the necessary 40 points.

The first solution is to ride during official sessions in Free Practice, on a Grand Prix weekend. A holder of a “Free Practice Super License” (granted from 25 points) will be awarded an additional point if he or she has successfully covered at least 100 km during a free practice session, provided that no penalty points were imposed on him. At most, a driver can earn a total of 10 additional points over a season. 

Example: If Colton Herta participates in 8 Free Practice sessions and if he covers a minimum of 100 kilometers in each session, then he would earn 8 additional points and reach a total of 40 points. He would then obtain the Super License.

Another exception, which is also at the center of the debates concerning Colton Herta: if a driver has at least 30 points, the FIA ​​alone can decide whether or not the Super License can be granted. In this case, the FIA ​​must judge that the driver was unable to reach 40 points because of “circumstances beyond its control or reasons of force majeure. »

It is on this part of the regulations that AlphaTauri will try to play to hire the American in 2023. To see if the arguments of the Italian team will weigh in favor of Colton Herta, or if the Californian driver will have to pass his turn next season.

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