Super Formula
Lawson: Super Formula deserves same superlicence points as F2
Red Bull junior Liam Lawson believes that aspiring Formula 1 drivers should be awarded the same number of superlicense points in Super Formula as Formula 2.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Apr 20, 2023, 3:04 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Lawson has switched to Japan’s top single-seater series for his 2023 campaign after two seasons in F2, causing a sensation by winning on his debut for Team Mugen at Fuji Speedway earlier this month.
The New Zealander came to Super Formula having already amassed the 40 points necessary for a superlicence through his exploits in F2, DTM and other junior single-seater series like Formula 3 and the Toyota Racing Series.
Read Also:
- Opinion: Lawson penalty highlights Super Formula rules flaw
- Nojiri feels Super Formula's reputation at stake in Lawson battle
Winning the championship Super Formula only offers 25 points, with the second- and third-placed drivers getting 20 and 15 points respectively, while F2 awards 40 points for the top three finishers.
Asked by Motorsport.com if he felt his successes could encourage more European drivers to try Super Formula, Lawson said that only those drivers who had already acquired their superlicence could realistically make the switch and still aim for F1.
“It depends on your superlicence situation,” said Lawson. “If you don’t have one, the way it is structured at the moment, you have to do Formula 2 just because it offers so many points.
“I wish they offered the same number of points here, 40 points, because then I think a lot more people would do it.
“This championship should be what F2 is to be honest. With how the cars are and the way the teams operate, it is much closer to Formula 1.”
- Motorsport.tv is showing this weekend's Suzuka Super Formula race live. Click here for further information.
At last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, FIA Deputy President Robert Reid was asked by Japanese media for his opinion on whether the amount of superlicence points awarded to Super Formula relative to other categories was fair.
Reid admitted that series such as F2, F3 - which awards 30 points to the champion - and the Formula Regional European Championship, which sits on a par with Super Formula, benefit from being part of the primary FIA single-seater ladder.
“The superlicence working group looks at all the points for all the different categories and takes into account lots of different things,” said Reid. “One is being part of the FIA single-seater pathway, having FIA safety standards, these kinds of things.
“I think it’s important to recognise series like [Super Formula] in Japan. But it’s also important to recognise the core parts of the FIA pathway.
“These things are constantly reviewed. I think we have a good system but we constantly look at the different levels and opportunities.”
Additional reporting by Kenichiro Ebii
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 Viber
Previous article Opinion: Lawson penalty highlights Super Formula rules flaw
Next article Analysis: Super Formula faces up to recent popularity slump
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Latest news
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 min
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
3 h
Hamlin says Chevy teams 'suck at the teat' of Hendrick on superspeedways
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
Valtteri Bottas denies he might lose his Cadillac seat for F1 2027
AJ Foyt Racing signs Josh Pierson to multi-year deal beginning with 2027 IndyCar season
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 4 h
AJ Foyt Racing signs Josh Pierson to multi-year deal beginning with 2027 IndyCar season
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:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe