How much F1 DRIVERS will PAY for their 2026 F1 SUPER LICENCE!

What a super licence is and why it matters

The FIA Super Licence is the mandatory credential that allows a driver to compete in Formula 1. It is less about a physical card and more about ensuring drivers have proven competence, experience, and the right behaviour on and off track. The licence also gives the FIA a direct lever to suspend or revoke a driver’s eligibility if their conduct threatens safety or the integrity of the sport.

How the 2026 fees are calculated

The fee structure for 2026 is transparent and simple in principle: every driver pays a small base fee plus an amount that scales with their performance in the previous season.

• Base fee: €11,842 per driver.
• Per-point fee: €2,392 for every championship point scored in the prior season.

Because points are awarded across race weekends and sprint races, the season total of points available is large. For 2025, the season awarded approximately 2,640 points in total. Multiply those points by €2,392 and add the base fees and the FIA collects just over €6.5 million in super licence levies for the year.

What the top drivers will pay in 2026

Top performers pay the most because the per-point charge increases their bill. For 2026:

• Lando Norris: €1,023,658.
• Max Verstappen: roughly €5,000 less than Norris.
• Several other leading drivers pay sums close to or under €1,000,000, with a wide spread down to the base fee of €11,842 for drivers who scored no points last season.

Teams are the ones who ultimately settle the invoices, so a constructor with two high-scoring drivers will have the largest bill. For example, McLaren will pay just over €2,000,000 in licence fees for their two drivers combined. In context, winning the Constructors’ Championship still delivers prize money and returns that dwarf these charges.

Why higher earners chip in more

The idea behind the sliding scale is fairness: teams and drivers who have benefited from success are deemed better placed to contribute more. Part of the money goes back into motorsport — including safety programs and administrative costs — so it is framed as a contribution to the sport’s infrastructure rather than a punitive levy.

How a driver secures a super licence

Meeting the points threshold is the central requirement, but it is not the only one. Here are the main criteria:

• 40 super licence points earned over the previous three seasons.
• Minimum age of 18, though exceptions can be applied if a team makes a compelling case to the FIA.
• Completion of at least 80% of two full seasons in a recognised single-seater championship.
• Completion of 300 kilometres in a representative F1 car within no more than two days, either during an official F1 session or in an accredited test.
• Possession of an international Grade A competition licence and passing a theory test on F1 regulations.

Many series award super licence points — Formula 2 and the top categories are the most lucrative. Some championships even reward drivers for clean records; a penalty-free season can add useful points toward the 40-point target. The FIA has also adjusted allocations in recent years: notably, the number of super licence points available in IndyCar increased, making the U.S. open-wheel series more viable as a pathway to F1.

Examples and edge cases

Drivers who switch series can be strategic about where they race in order to secure points. One recent case: Colton Herta moved from IndyCar to Formula 2 in 2026 to chase the remaining points he needed. With 35 points on the board, finishing eighth or higher in F2 in 2026 would secure the 40-point threshold for 2027. Alternatively, participation in official F1 practice sessions can earn single super licence points per FP1 outing, offering another route for borderline candidates.

Behaviour, penalties and losing the licence

The super licence is both a performance and conduct control. Off-track offences, such as serious road traffic incidents, can trigger suspension or revocation. For lesser matters, the FIA may issue warnings or require remedial work in the interest of motorsport.

On-track indiscretions accumulate penalty points on the super licence. Reaching 12 penalty points results in a mandatory race ban. Points expire after one year, but drivers who get close to the threshold must be cautious. At one point a driver was sitting on 10 penalty points and needed a string of clean weekends to avoid missing a race.

Historic precedent exists for licence removal: a handful of drivers have been demoted or stripped of super licence privileges when safety concerns or performance issues were judged severe enough. The process is rare but ensures the FIA can act when necessary.

Other practical details

Rookie practice sessions (the FP1 rookie slots) are reserved for drivers who do not yet hold a full super licence. These sessions serve dual purposes: they give newcomers experience in an F1 car and can also award super licence points when applicable.

Prize money from championship standings is handled separately. The FIA does not pay drivers directly based on their finishing position in the Drivers’ Championship; bonuses near the top typically come from team contracts and sponsors, not from the licence system.

Confirmed driver number changes for the upcoming season

Some drivers have switched race numbers for the new season. Notable changes include a leading driver taking the number 1 and another adopting a historic number previously used by a different champion. Most teams retained their existing driver numbers from the prior year, while a few individuals chose to carry forward their established digits.

Final thoughts

The super licence system is designed to balance opportunity with safety and standards. It rewards merit but also protects the sport by giving the FIA oversight over who is allowed to compete. The fee structure aligns financial contribution with sporting success, and the point-based entry rules help ensure that drivers reach F1 ready to race at the highest level.

Frequently asked questions

What is an FIA Super Licence?

A mandatory credential required to race in Formula 1 that confirms a driver has met performance, experience, and conduct standards set by the FIA.

How much does a driver pay for a super licence?

Each driver pays a base fee of €11,842 plus €2,392 for every championship point scored in the previous season. Top drivers can pay over €1,000,000 in busy seasons.

How do drivers earn super licence points?

Points are awarded based on finishing positions in a range of recognized championships over the preceding three seasons. Strong finishes in series such as Formula 2 and IndyCar are especially valuable. Drivers can also earn small amounts for clean seasons and for participating in official practice sessions.

Can a driver lose a super licence?

Yes. The FIA can suspend or revoke a super licence for serious misconduct, safety concerns, or road traffic offences. Accumulating 12 penalty points on the licence due to on-track infringements leads to a mandatory race ban.

Who pays the super licence fees — the driver or the team?

Teams generally cover super licence fees for their drivers, so the financial burden falls on the constructor rather than the driver personally.