The FIA Super Licence is a driver's qualification allowing the holder to compete in the Formula One World Championship.
Requirements
Super Licence
To qualify for an FIA Racing Super Licence an applicant must meet the requirements of the FIA's International Sporting Code, Appendix L, Article 5. As of 2023, the article states: A minimum age of 18 at the start of their first F1 competition. An existing holder of an International Grade A competition licence. A holder of a valid driving licence. Passing of an FIA theory test on knowledge of the F1 sporting codes and regulations when applying for the first time. Completed at least 80% of each of two full seasons of any of the single-seater Championships reported in Supplement 1 of the regulations. Accumulated at least 40 points over the previous three seasons in any combination of the championships reported in Supplement 1 of the regulations.
Provided a driver has previously held a super licence, they do not have to meet these requirements:
A driver who has held a valid super licence for any of the previous three seasons is eligible for a new licence if they have completed 100 kms in a free practice session in the last 3 years. A driver who has previously held a super licence but has not held a valid licence within the previous three years issue can be granted an exemption by the FIA on the grounds of "recent and consistent demonstration" of "outstanding ability in single-seater formula cars".
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, requirement 6 was amended where if the three-season window includes the year 2020 or 2021, then the highest scoring three seasons out of the four previous seasons are to be counted. If a driver has accumulated at least 30 points and is currently competing in any of the Championships reported in Supplement 1 and has been unable to accumulate the 40 points due to "circumstances outside their control or reasons of force majeure", the licence may be granted at the discretion of the FIA.
As of June 20, 2023, the Supplement 1 Super Licence points, which also qualify for the 80% rule, are awarded according to the following table:
In 2019, for a series to award Super Licence points, a championship season must consist of at least five events spanning at least three different circuits, with alternative circuit configurations considered to be separate circuits. Additionally, a series must have at least 12 drivers compete at any event and a minimum of 16 drivers compete across a season to meet the criteria for full points – a series with 12 or more drivers per event and between 12 and 15 over the course of a season will award 75% points, and a series with entry lists of 11 competitors or lower will not be eligible for points. Championships, such as the 2019 F3 Asian Winter Series, may be set aside points but cannot award them if the championship season does not meet this criteria.
A driver can earn points from either 1 or 2 series in a calendar year. The results from a maximum of 2 championships can be accumulated from a single calendar year, provided that the start date of the second championship falls after the end date of the first championship during the year in question.
For any season ending in 2020 or 2021 the criteria have decreased from racing five events to three, from three tracks to two and from 16 drivers on the first race to 10.
Drivers may also earn points for:
1 point – Driving at least 100 km during a Free Practice session for up to 10 points (with one point awarded per World Championship event) 2 points – Completing an FIA Championship with a penalty points system without receiving any penalty points. 5 points – Winning the Macau Grand Prix
If multiple drivers complete a season competing in the same car they will be awarded a fraction of their points according to their FIA Driver Categorisation:
Platinum and Gold ranked drivers – 100% of the points received. Silver ranked drivers – 75% of the points received. Bronze ranked drivers – 50% of the points received. Drivers without a categorisation will be awarded no points.