Just like we need a Driving Licence to drive your car, you need a separate Licence to drive a Formula 1 Car as well. These are not regular Driving Licences that you can take anywhere. This is the FIA Super Licence only given to skilled Race drivers.
FIA Super Licence
If you have passion for becoming a Formula 1 race driver one day, then you need an FIA Super Licence to race in Formula 1. Other factors are the driver must be at least 18 years old, the driver should have already obtained at least 40 Super Licence Points in Qualifying races over the last 3 years, and Pass the FIA theory Test.
What F1 Drivers Have?
F1 Drivers will have both Normal driving Licence and FIA Super Licence. Normal Licence can be earned when they complete the driving test of a normal car. To earn a Super Licence they need to earn enough Super Licence Points. The Current Number of points required to earn a Super Licence is 40 whic they earn by competing in other car races like karting, F2.etc.
How To Get a Super Licence?
The FIA Super Licence should be earned. For Earning one needs to be in racing continuously for a period where he will be getting Licence points for every series he competes. Here are the following key rules one need to remember.
Should Be 18+
The Basic Requirement to get a super licence is the driver's age. The driver should be atleast 18+ years of age to acquire a licence. Even if they meet other requirements below they still need to be 18 years of age to get FIA Super Licence. This is often called the ‘Max Verstappen rule’. This came into effect after Max Verstappen joined F1 Aged 17. The current Formula 1 World champion Max Verstappen Joined Toro Rosso when he below 18 years old.
Grade A Competition
The driver needs to already have a International Grade A Competition Licence. The Cost and requirements for getting that is own. The drivers need to undergo years of low-level national racing competition. Getting an International Grade A Competition Licence is no joke.
A Valid Driving Licence
Each country has their own driving licence and system. The licence should be clean, never been suspended in the past. With that licence the driver should be able to drive in normal roads and highways without any legal troubles.
Theory Test
Similar to many driving tests FIA involves the drivers with Theory Tests. The questions will be about the Sporting Codes and regulations of F1. This is to ensure every driver is aware of the F1 Regulations.
The 80% Rule
The driver should have completed at least 80%of two full seasons of a single-seater competition. This means before F1 the drivers need to have experience in junior Formula 1 competitions like F2, and F3.
Minimum Points needed
Even if they complete 80% of the two full seasons the drivers need to have a minimum of 40 FIA Super Licence points. In 2020, rules have changed as COVID-19 hit and major tournaments across the globe got cancelled or shortened. During this time 40 point requirement is reduced to 30 points.
Free Practice Super Licence
The Formula 1 team will test their academy drivers in F1 Free Practice sessions. During that time drivers will be driving actual formula 1 cars alongside other drivers. For this testing Each free practice driver needs to have 25 points over the last 3 years or atleast 6 races in F2.
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How much is it cost?
An F1 Super Licence costs depending upon how many world championship points the driver scored in previous seasons. The flat fee is 12,800 Dollars. The driver should pay 1,280 dollars for each point they pay. The current cost of super liccence is 10 to 20 thousand dollars.
Annual Renewal
The Super Licence needs to be renewed annually by the drivers. For the first time holders Licence will be issued using 12 month Probationary period. This is to revoke the licence if the drivers involve in any offense or requirements not met.
Penalty Points
Drivers not only earn points they also get penalty points. The maximum number of penalty points which a driver can get over a 12 month period is 12. If the penalty points exceeds the mark drivers will face ban for their next race. The penalty points are awarded if the driver Causes Collision, rule breaking. The points usually be 1, 2 or 3 penalty points. 1 is for Low penalty action and 3 is for high. No drivers came close to serving penalty points. So far, Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean came close to serving a race ban after getting penalty points.
Does Super Licence Work for you?
Formula 1 is a rich sport. Not everyone can involve in that sport and manage expenses. Each driver needs to pay fee for whatever they do. You wish to race in formula 1? Then you need to have everything more basically. You should have enough experience, More talent, More money to drive a F1 Car.
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