Verstappen to Pay Hefty Fee for Superlicense

Rumors are circulating that Max Verstappen, the three-time world champion, will be facing a staggering charge of over €1.2 million for his superlicense in order to compete next year. This exorbitant fee is a result of Verstappen’s exceptional performance in the 2023 season where he won an astonishing 19 out of 22 races.

The cost of a superlicense increases based on the number of points a driver accumulates throughout the season. With Verstappen scoring an unprecedented amount of points, it comes as no surprise that he is now faced with this massive charge from the FIA.

Fortunately for Verstappen, he won’t have to bear this financial burden himself as he revealed that his team will cover the expense: “The team pays that, fortunately.” However, he did express his belief that there should be some fairness and proportionality when it comes to these fees.

Red Bull has confirmed their commitment to paying Verstappen’s superlicense fee, but it remains uncertain whether his teammate Sergio Perez or other drivers will also have their fees covered by their respective teams.

In 2023, Verstappen accumulated a record-breaking total of 575 points throughout the season. While this achievement solidifies his dominance on track, it also translates into an eye-watering cost required for him to continue driving next year.

Prior to this revelation about the hefty fee, Verstappen had criticized these costs as “absurd,” emphasizing how they differ from other sports where such expenses are not imposed. Additionally, with more races being added to the calendar, the financial burden on drivers continues to grow.

Fortunately for Red Bull, driver salaries and fees are not included in the FIA’s budget cap. This cap aims to create a more level playing field by limiting teams’ spending. However, writing a substantial check to cover Verstappen’s superlicense fee is still quite significant for Team Principal Christian Horner: “I mean, it’s a luxury problem to have because we’ve had to score the points to generate the invoice. Thankfully, it’s outside of the budget cap. But yeah, it’s a big cheque to be writing to the FIA.”

The Importance of FIA Superlicence

An FIA superlicence is essential for any Formula 1 driver who wishes to compete in races. It is considered as the highest type of license available and is awarded by the F1 governing body.

The need for this license was first introduced in the 1990s but gained further importance with an age restriction added in 2015 following Verstappen’s debut at just 17 years and 166 days old. The objective behind this rule was primarily safety concerns and ensuring that inexperienced drivers don’t enter into potentially dangerous situations.

To obtain a superlicence, drivers must fulfill several requirements including being at least 18 years old when making their Formula 1 debut, possessing a valid driving license, and passing an FIA theory test on sporting codes and regulations related specifically to Formula 1.

If a driver has held a superlicence within three previous seasons but did not participate during one or more seasons afterward (as exemplified by Nyck De Vries), they can reapply for their superlicence if they plan on returning to Formula 1.

Exorbitant Superlicense Fee Calculation

A mandatory superlicence entails a base fee of €10,400 that every driver must pay to compete in the following season. In addition to this, there is an extra charge of €2,100 per point scored during the previous season.

In Verstappen’s case, his outstanding performance throughout 2023 resulted in him scoring a remarkable total of 575 points. Consequently, each one of those points adds up and contributes to his staggering superlicense fee amounting to €1,217,900.

Conclusion

The news regarding Max Verstappen’s hefty superlicense fee has grabbed attention within the Formula 1 community. While he will not personally bear this financial burden as Red Bull covers the expense on his behalf, it highlights ongoing discussions about fairness and proportionality when it comes to these fees.

As FIA continues working towards creating a level playing field through measures like budget caps and licensing requirements, drivers like Verstappen face both challenges and unprecedented costs due to their exceptional performances on track.