To legally drive most vehicles, you need the corresponding permit—a rule that also applies in Formula 1, where the document you need is fittingly called the F1 super licence.
So what is an F1 super licence exactly, and how do you get one?
We tell you all about it in the chapters below!
What Is an F1 Super Licence?
The FIA Super Licence (its official name) is the most sought-after driving certification in motorsports as it grants holders the privilege to drive in Formula 1 since it proves they have demonstrated “outstanding ability in single-seater Formula cars”.
After all, it takes immense talent, steadfast determination, and immaculate skills to handle the fastest racing cars on the planet with engines that roar at over 1,000 hp.
To earn the coveted F1 licence, aspiring drivers have to meet the applicable criteria:
- They are at least 18 years of age by the time they start competing in F1;
- They already hold FIA’s International Grade A competition permit;
- They already hold a regular driving licence issued by their jurisdiction;
- They have passed F1’s knowledge test regarding sporting codes and regulations;
- They have completed 80% of two seasons in FIA-approved tournaments;
- They have accrued 40 points over three seasons in FIA-endorsed series.
An F1 super licence must be renewed yearly by paying a certain fee, which is dictated by the driver’s success the previous year, and no other requirements apply.
However, F1 drivers whose licence has been expired for longer than three years will have to race 300 km in a modern F1 car over two days before they apply for renewal.
Note: Frequent infractions result in a certain amount of F1 super licence penalty points, and racers who accumulate 12 penalty points in any 12-month period receive a one race ban—a system necessary to reduce the risk of costly and/or fatal F1 accidents.
Also read: 24 Fast Formula 1 Facts and Stats That Will Surprise You
How Do F1 Super Licence Points Work?
Getting the points necessary for the FIA Super Licence is undoubtedly the most demanding requirement since it involves coming on top in fiercely competitive FIA-approved races.
Furthermore, as listed in Appendix L of FIA’s International Sporting Code, drivers will earn a different amount of points depending on the series’ importance:
| Series | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
| FIA Formula 2 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| IndyCar | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| FIA Formula 3 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| FIA Formula E | 30 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| FIA WEC LMP1 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Formula Regional European Championship | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Japanese Super Formula | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| FIA WEC LMP2 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Super GT GT500 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Formula Regional Asian Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Formula Regional Americas Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Formula Regional Japanese Championship | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| IMSA Prototypes | 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DTM | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA WTCR | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| International Supercars | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| NASCAR Cup | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Indy Lights | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| W Series | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Euroformula Open | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Japanese Super Formula Lights | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA Formula 4 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA WEC LMGT Pro | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian Le Mans Series Prototypes | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA WEC LMGT Am | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| IMSA GTLM | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| National F3 Championship | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indy Pro 2000 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NASCAR National | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toyota Racing Series | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| International GT3 Series | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA Karting World Championship Senior | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA Karting Continental Championship Senior | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA Karting World Championship Junior | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIA Karting Continental Championship Junior | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
As you can see, the FIA endorses 35 different racing competitions that contribute а specific amount of F1 super licence points based on the driver’s final qualification.
For instance, while the karting senior world champion adds 4 points to their tally, the Formula 4 first-placer earns 14 points, whereas the Formula E champion gets 30 points.
Also read: Why Do F1 Drivers Get Weighed After a Race?
How Much Does the F1 Super Licence Cost
Unlike a standard driving licence, maintaining an FIA Super Licence costs a pretty penny!
Recent reports put the base cost of the F1 licence at almost $20,000. However, when it comes time for the annual renewal, drivers will have to pay additional thousands of dollars for each championship point they scored for the past season.
For example, per a 10-year-old report, the extra costs were $1,300 for every championship point scored—an amount that has most likely increased to $2,000 by now.
Basic maths then tells us that the F1 world champion may be required to pay a seven-figure fee—an ostentatious amount that raises a lot of eyebrows at the very least.
So that’s one downside to becoming one of the greatest F1 drivers in history, which one could argue they can afford with the mammoth salaries they earn.
Bottom Line
Are you tempted to give professional racing a shot now that you know what is an F1 Super Licence?
You could, but it takes an inordinate amount of time, effort, money, luck, and talent to become an F1 driver, and for most aspiring racers out there, getting and using an F1 licence remains a pipe dream.
That said, you can always drive go-karts or virtual F1 cars!