In Formula 1, a driver needs to gather 40 points to get what’s called a superlicence. This rule came about in 2016 because Max Verstappen started racing in F1 when he was just 17 years and 166 days old. He moved from European Formula 3 straight to F1.
To get a superlicence, you also need to be at least 18 years old and have raced in at least 80% of two full seasons in a single-seater series.
Last year, there was talk about the superlicence system when the FIA said no to Red Bull’s request for Colton Herta, an IndyCar race winner, to get a superlicence without meeting all the rules.
Now, there’s a request for Mercedes’ young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to get a superlicence before he turns 18 in August. Antonelli races in F2 with Prema and there’s talk he might join F1 even this year, but Mercedes’ boss, Toto Wolff, says that’s not going to happen.
Max Verstappen, a three-time world champion, doesn’t like the current points system for superlicences. He thinks it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.
“That rule came because of me, but it doesn’t really do what it’s meant to,” Verstappen told Dutch media. “It’s not just about Antonelli, but this rule could stop some talented drivers from getting into Formula 1 quickly because they have to collect those 40 points first.
“I’m not a fan of this system. The FIA thinks it’s good, but I’d rather not have it. If a driver is 17 or 18 years old and is very fast but only has maybe 20 points, why shouldn’t they be able to get into Formula 1?”
