Tomorrow can be 10 years to the day because the FIA confirmed the small print of a brand new factors system to find out who needs to be allowed to race in Formulation 1.
The superlicence factors system initially awarded factors to drivers primarily based solely on their ending positions in numerous classes beneath F1. Now additional factors are awarded for taking part in F1 observe classes, avoiding penalties and extra.
The edge requirement of 40 factors stays unchanged. Each aspiring F1 driver is aware of they have to rack up these 40 factors over three seasons with a purpose to obtain their aim (the requirement to take action in consecutive seasons was quickly relaxed as a result of Covid-19 pandemic).
F1’s superlicence system has doubtlessly prevented some drivers from racing in F1 after they may have achieved. AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) wished to run IndyCar driver Colton Herta in 2023, however couldn’t as he didn’t have enough superlicence factors, regardless of being a a number of race-winner in one of many few single seater classes the place automotive efficiency is near that seen in F1.
A decade since its introduction, is F1’s superlicence factors system performing a helpful perform for the sequence and for upcoming drivers?
The FIA F1 superlicence factors system in 2025
Factors are awarded for drivers’ ending positions in these championships as follows:
| Collection | 1st | 2nd | third | 4th | fifth | sixth | seventh | eighth | ninth | tenth | Whole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIA Formulation 2 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 201 |
| FIA Formulation 3 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 128 |
| FIA WEC (Hypercar) | 30 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 132 |
| Japanese Tremendous Formulation | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 128 |
| IndyCar | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 124 |
| FIA Formulation E | 30 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 109 |
| Formulation Regional European Championship | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 88 |
| Japanese Tremendous GT500 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 76 |
| IMSA Grand Touring Prototype | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 76 |
| Formulation Regional Center East Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Formulation Regional Americas Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Formulation Regional Japanese Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Formulation Regional Oceania Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Formulation Regional Indian Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 70 |
| Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Worldwide Supercars Championship | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| NASCAR Cup | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Indy Lights (now Indy Nxt) | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Euroformula Open | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Japanese Tremendous Formulation Lights | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| Nationwide FIA Formulation 4 Championships licensed by the FIA | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Asian / ELMS / IMSA Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| FIA WEC (LMGT3) | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| F1 Academy | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Indy Professional 2000 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| GB3 Championship | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| NASCAR Nationwide | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| GT3 Championships registered as Worldwide Collection | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Japanese Tremendous GT300 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| FIA Karting World Championships in senior class | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| FIA Karting Continental Championships in senior class | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| FIA Karting World Championships in junior class | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| FIA Karting Continental Championships in junior class | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
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Factors are solely awarded if championships meet varied standards, together with solely visiting FIA-certified tracks and involving a minimal variety of drivers. Drivers can solely depend factors from two championships per 12 months and not more than 12 factors from karting sequence.
Three additional factors are awarded to the winner of the Formulation Regional World Cup. Drivers can accumulate as much as 10 factors by taking part in Formulation 1 observe classes and achieve an extra two factors by retaining a ‘clear sheet’ in any sequence the place penalty factors are issued for driving infractions.
For
Formulation 1 is the highest degree of worldwide motor racing and drivers want to indicate they’re able to dealing with highly effective machines and following the foundations of racing. Junior championships are the easiest way to do that and it is sensible to favour these whose guidelines and rules are closest to F1’s.
No system is ever going to be excellent, and though F1’s superlicence factors system is difficult, it largely does its job.
Towards
The superlicence factors system units a better bar for some drivers relying on what sequence they had been in a position to race in, which can have much less to do with their potential than what they’ll afford. F1’s prime junior sequence have turn into much more costly lately as all their races happen at grand prix weekends.
The factors allocations for some sequence present the system is meant to favour FIA over non-FIA sequence, placing drivers from some areas, notably the USA, at a drawback.
I say
The previous 5 years have revealed how cynical the superlicence factors system is. When an IndyCar driver equivalent to Colton Herta comes up quick, no exceptions are made. When a rich driver in an FIA-sanctioned sequence wants a licence, all of the sudden the system is extra malleable.
Any system which blocks a driver of Herta’s potential whereas waving within the likes of Nikita Mazepin can’t be taken critically.
New F1 drivers needs to be required to take checks demonstrating they’ll drive the vehicles and perceive the racing guidelines. The pointless, over-complicated and bureaucratic superlicence factors system needs to be binned.
You say
After we requested our readers this query 5 years in the past, many didn’t approve of superlicence factors however a major minority felt the system had benefit. 5 years on, have these views modified considerably?
Do you agree F1 ought to preserve its superlicence factors system?
- No opinion (0%)
- Strongly disagree (67%)
- Barely disagree (33%)
- Neither agree nor disagree (0%)
- Barely agree (0%)
- Strongly agree (0%)
Whole Voters: 3
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