What a Super Licence is
A Super Licence is the highest grade of racing licence issued by the FIA. It is required for any driver who wants to compete in Formula 1. Without one, you cannot drive an F1 car in a race weekend — not even in practice.
The Super Licence was introduced in 1993 to ensure that every driver on the F1 grid has demonstrated a minimum level of experience and competence. Before the Super Licence, drivers could theoretically enter F1 with very little single-seater experience.
How drivers qualify for a Super Licence
To obtain a Super Licence, a driver must meet several criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a valid Grade A international licence
- Have completed at least 80% of two full seasons in a single-seater championship
- Accumulate at least 40 Super Licence points over the previous three seasons
- Pass an FIA theory test on the sporting regulations
Super Licence points are awarded based on championship position in recognized feeder series. Winning Formula 2 earns 40 points — enough on its own. Finishing third in F2 earns 30 points. Winning Formula 3 earns 30 points. Finishing fifth in IndyCar earns 20 points.
Why the rules exist
The Super Licence system exists to protect drivers and the sport. F1 cars are the fastest circuit-racing machines in the world, and an inexperienced driver on the grid is a danger to themselves and everyone else.
The system also creates a clear pathway from junior categories to F1. Drivers know exactly what they need to achieve to earn their Super Licence, and teams know that any driver on the grid has met a minimum standard of competence.
The Antonelli exception
Andrea Kimi Antonelli received his Super Licence at 18 years old in 2025, having won the Formula 2 championship in his rookie season. His 40 points from the F2 title were enough to qualify him immediately. He went on to win his maiden F1 race at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest race winner in F1 history.
The Antonelli case proved that the Super Licence system works: it identified a driver who was ready for F1, and he delivered.