In 2025, Lando Norris is set to pay an extra €435,000 for his F1 super license. Is he being penalized? And why is Max Verstappen paying €200,000 less than he did in 2024 for his super license? Let’s dive into the details!
Every F1 driver has to stump up a significant amount of cash to obtain a super license, which is essential to race in Formula One. The price of each license is tied to the driver’s performance in the previous year. This means the world champion in 2025 will pay about a hundred times more than the bottom drivers. Interestingly, the bottom four drivers, namely Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoletto, Isack Hadjar, and Kimi Antonelli, will pay less than €12,000 for the same piece of paper that Max is paying over a million for.
How the Fee is Calculated
The fee calculation starts with a base fee of €11,453, which has increased by about 10% from last year. On top of that, drivers pay €2,313 for every point they scored the previous season. The payment goes to the FIA, the organization that manages all the rules and regulations in F1, and they use these funds to improve safety.
Getting a super license involves meeting several criteria:
- Minimum age of 18, though there are exceptions.
- Completion of at least 80% of two full seasons in a single-seater championship.
- Holding an international Grade A competition license.
- Passing a theory test on F1 rules and regulations.
- Scoring at least 40 points in the driver’s three most recent racing seasons.
Curiously, drivers don’t need a full super license to participate in FP1 sessions; they can get a free practice-only super license.
Max Verstappen’s Super License Fee
This year, Max Verstappen’s payment totals just over €1,022,234, based on him amassing 437 points last year. This amount is down by just shy of €200,000 compared to the previous year, even though he still clinched the driver’s championship. Typically, the team pays this fee, and considering Red Bull earned around €110 million in prize money, they likely don’t mind paying out a fraction for Max’s super license.
Other Drivers’ Super License Fees
Let’s take a look at how other drivers’ fees have changed:
- Lando Norris: Paid €441,000 last year; this year, he owes €876,204.
- Charles Leclerc: From €443,000 to €834,648.
- Oscar Piastri: A massive jump from €214,100 to €686,715.
- Carlos Sainz: Increased from €430,400 to €682,066.
- George Russell: From €377,900 to €577,979.
- Lewis Hamilton: A slight increase from €501,800 to €527,103.
Interestingly, Fernando Alonso saw a decrease in his fee from €443,000 last year to €173,307 this year, saving his team €270,000. Conversely, Pierre Gasly paid about €32,021 less this year, while Nico Hulkenberg’s fee rose from €29,300 to €106,267. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll went backwards by about €98,846, Esteban Ocon by €67,559 and Alex Albon by €27.897.
Newcomers and Their Fees
For the newcomers, Oliver Bearman, who has raced three times, will pay €27,640, while Liam Lawson moves from €14,600 last year to €20,703 this year. The three drivers yet to race in F1—Gabriel Bortoletto, Kimi Antonelli, and Jack Doohan—are all paying the base rate, as is Isack Hadjar.
Interestingly, Red Bull is saving €363,000 on their license fees because Sergio Perez is not returning to the team. Instead, they pay just €20,703 for Liam Lawson, saving a hefty sum in the process.
Understanding Super License Points
How do drivers accumulate their points? A simple table explains it:
- 20 points for winning a feature race
- Points decrease down to 1 for finishing in 10th place
- Sprint races award points from 8 down to 1 for the top eight finishers
The FIA is expected to pocket around €5.9 million from super license fees this year. While some fans see this as a penalty for performing well, it’s essential for the FIA to fund its operations.
Demerit Points and License Revocations
While a super license is granted, it can also be revoked. Kevin Magnussen lost his license for one race due to a demerit point system. Only one driver, Yuji Ide, has had his super license revoked in the history of the FIA after causing numerous incidents in 2006.
Conclusion
Understanding the F1 super license system can provide insights into the financial and competitive aspects of the sport. The fees and points system ensures that only the most deserving drivers get to race at this elite level.
FAQ
- What is an F1 Super License? It’s a qualification that allows drivers to compete in Formula 1 races, based on their performance in previous seasons.
- How are the fees determined? Fees are calculated based on a base fee and additional charges for points scored in the previous season.
- Can a super license be revoked? Yes, drivers can lose their license if they accumulate too many demerit points.