Tomorrow will be 10 years to the day since the FIA confirmed the details of a new points system to determine who should be allowed to race in Formula 1.
The superlicence points system originally awarded points to drivers based only on their finishing positions in different categories beneath F1. Now extra points are awarded for participating in F1 practice sessions, avoiding penalties and more.
The threshold requirement of 40 points remains unchanged. Every aspiring F1 driver knows they must rack up those 40 points over three seasons in order to achieve their goal (the requirement to do so in consecutive seasons was temporarily relaxed due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
F1’s superlicence system has potentially prevented some drivers from racing in F1 when they could have done. AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) wanted to run IndyCar driver Colton Herta in 2023, but could not as he did not have sufficient superlicence points, despite being a multiple race-winner in one of the few single seater categories where car performance is close to that seen in F1.
A decade since its introduction, is F1’s superlicence points system performing a useful function for the series and for upcoming drivers?
The FIA F1 superlicence points system in 2025
Points are awarded for drivers’ finishing positions in these championships as follows:
Series
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
Total
FIA Formula 2
40
40
40
30
20
10
8
6
4
3
201
FIA Formula 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 Super Formula
30
25
20
15
12
9
7
5
3
2
128
IndyCar
40
30
20
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
124
FIA Formula E
30
25
20
10
8
6
4
3
2
1
109
Formula Regional European Championship
25
20
15
10
7
5
3
2
1
0
88
Japanese Super 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
Formula Regional Middle East Championship
18
14
12
10
6
4
3
2
1
0
70
Formula Regional Americas Championship
18
14
12
10
6
4
3
2
1
0
70
Formula Regional Japanese Championship
18
14
12
10
6
4
3
2
1
0
70
Formula Regional Oceania Championship
18
14
12
10
6
4
3
2
1
0
70
Formula 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
International 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 Super Formula Lights
15
12
10
7
5
3
2
1
…
FIA Karting World Championships in junior category
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
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Points are only awarded if championships meet various criteria, including only visiting FIA-certified tracks and involving a minimum number of drivers. Drivers can only count points from two championships per year and no more than 12 points from karting series.
Three further points are awarded to the winner of the Formula Regional World Cup. Drivers can accumulate up to 10 points by participating in Formula 1 practice sessions and gain an additional two points by keeping a ‘clean sheet’ in any series where penalty points are issued for driving infractions.
For
Formula 1 is the top level of international motor racing and drivers need to show they are capable of handling powerful machines and following the rules of racing. Junior championships are the best way to do this and it makes sense to favour those whose rules and regulations are closest to F1’s.
No system is ever going to be perfect, and although F1’s superlicence points system is complicated, it largely does its job.
Against
The superlicence points system sets a higher bar for some drivers depending on what series they were able to race in, which may have less to do with their ability than what they can afford. F1’s top junior series have become even more expensive in recent years as all their races take place at grand prix weekends.
The points allocations for some series show the system is intended to favour FIA over non-FIA series, putting drivers from some regions, notably the USA, at a disadvantage.
I say
The past five years have revealed how cynical the superlicence points system is. When an IndyCar driver such as Colton Herta comes up short, no exceptions are made. When a wealthy driver in an FIA-sanctioned series needs a licence, suddenly the system is more malleable.
Any system which blocks a driver of Herta’s ability while waving in the likes of Nikita Mazepin can’t be taken seriously.
New F1 drivers should be required to take tests demonstrating they can drive the cars and understand the racing rules. The unnecessary, over-complicated and bureaucratic superlicence points system should be binned.
You say
When we asked our readers this question five years ago, many did not approve of superlicence points but a significant minority felt the system had merit. Five years on, have those views changed significantly?
Do you agree F1 should keep its superlicence points system?
Strongly disagree (56%)
Slightly disagree (20%)
Neither agree nor disagree (0%)
Slightly agree (18%)
Strongly agree (6%)
Total Voters: 66
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