The FIA changes the rules for obtaining a super license, opening the door to Kimi Antonelli

The FIA, International Automobile Federation, has just paved the way for Kimi Antonelli, an F2 driver in his first season and a supposed future Mercedes Formula 1 driver. Indeed, Kimi Antonelli is not yet 18 years old this summer to carry out possible tests with the F1 Mercedes team. He is therefore not eligible for the super license, a grade A license necessary to step into an F1 cockpit. Mercedes cannot test Kimi Antonelli and has therefore pushed to ask the FIA for an exception.

Since the arrival of Max Verstappen, driver for Toro Rosso at 17 years old, the FIA and the teams had asked to set an age limit to prevent having younger and younger drivers. Officially then, a driver to drive in F1 had to be at least 18 years old and hold a valid civil driving license.

The FIA regulations to obtain a super license were however modified on June 11th during the last meeting of the International Automobile Federation committee.

Being over 18, but not necessarily.

The most important point is the possibility of granting a super license to any driver at the discretion of the FIA. This means that a driver who has never competed in a European championship, such as Pato O’Ward in Indycar, or a very young driver, such as Kimi Antonelli, could obtain a provisional super license to participate in official FIA competitions.

Regulation 13.1.3 of the FIA International Sporting Code is amended as follows: « The driver must be at least 18 years old at the start of the first F1 competition.

At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and maturity in single-seater formula car competitions may be granted a Super License at the age of 17.

No need for a driver’s license

Pilots also had another requirement to obtain their super license: to have a “civil” driver’s license. Most countries issue driver’s licenses from the age of 18, so this rule has also been removed to prevent any imbalance between countries.

Thus rule 13.3.2 is therefore deleted: « The driver must hold a valid driver’s license when applying for a Super License for the first time. »

Allow top-tier drivers to race in F1.

This modification will allow several possibilities, in order to enable drivers in special cases to be able to compete in Formula 1. Thus, Indycar drivers who have never acquired FIA license points in certain championships related to the FIA will be able to take the wheel of an F1 car. This was the subject of discussions, particularly for drivers like Pato O’Ward with McLaren or Alex Palou a few months ago who were asking for the FIA to consider Indycar more for super license eligibility.

This modification will also allow Kimi Antonelli, who will only celebrate his 18th birthday on August 25th, the possibility of driving in Formula 1 in official competition for a free practice session as early as June or July. Indeed, Antonelli has already driven in F1 in private tests, but to drive in a Grand Prix in free practice or as a reserve driver, he will need to obtain the super license.