Breaking news

Formula 1

FIA to be flexible with new super licence system

F1's governing body has suggested its tough new criteria for the awarding of super licences in 2016 may actually be flexible.

GMM

Edited: Jan 17, 2015, 8:46 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone, with British journalists

Bernie Ecclestone, and the drivers observe the anthem on the grid

Bernie Ecclestone

(L to R): Bernie Ecclestone, with Claire Williams, Williams Deputy Team Principal

Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone

The FIA clamped down on the 2016 qualifying criteria for obtaining F1's mandatory credential due to the controversial debut this year of 17-year-old Max Verstappen.

But when the strict new criteria was outlined recently, it became clear that champions like Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen would not have been granted their Grand Prix debuts due to a lack of experience.

A driver like Williams tester Susie Wolff would also be excluded, and even the great Michael Schumacher's 2010 return for Mercedes would have been thwarted due to his lack of F1 experience in the three previous years.

But according to a report in Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, the FIA has now "admitted that despite the more stringent rules, possible exceptions will be granted".

There is always an exception to a rule

The Paris federation reportedly singled out Schumacher's return as one obvious exception that would be theoretically presented to the World Motor Sport Council for "consideration" under the new rules.

It is believed Renault has also complained to the FIA that its top open-wheeler category, Formula Renault 3.5, has not been granted the status it deserves under the 2016 F1 super licence points system.

So, too, has the European open-wheeler series Auto GP, according to Russia's Championat.

"We deserve to be there," promoter Enzo Coloni is quoted as saying.

"We have powerful cars, similar to the Renault world series, so it would be fair to include us in the super licence points system.

"We have requested a clarification of the situation," he added, "with the support of the Italian federation of motor racing."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Rossi 'interested' in 2016 Haas debut

Next article 2015 hosts rule out F1 night races

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

GMM



The season is still very long - Rosberg

Formula 1

Formula 1

The season is still very long - Rosberg



Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes

Formula 1

Formula 1

Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes



Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position

Formula 1

Formula 1

Chinese GP

Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position

More from

Kimi Raikkonen



David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's

Formula 1

Formula 1

Spanish GP

David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's



On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement

Formula 1

Formula 1

Italian GP

On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement



Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver

Formula 1

Formula 1

Italian GP

Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver

More from

Mercedes



Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP



Toto Wolff dismisses Helmut Marko's Russell theory: "He still has what it takes"

Formula 1

Formula 1

United States GP

Toto Wolff dismisses Helmut Marko's Russell theory: "He still has what it takes"



A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Formula 1

United States GP

A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Latest news



Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship

ARCA

ARCA ARCA 5 h

Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship



IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat

IndyCar

Indy IndyCar 7 h

IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat



Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

10 h

Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP



Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

10 h

Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations

Feature

Discover prime content



The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

The one aspect of the 2026 US GP that should be a blueprint for F1 2027



A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

A strategic masterclass: How Kimi Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP



How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying

Formula 1

United States GP

By Stuart Codling

How Verstappen and Antonelli were both “surprised” in United States GP qualifying



What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Formula 1

United States GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 United States GP

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe