Life is unfair and so is the FIA points system

FIA F1 super license points requirements sparks a nice debate. Why did this conversation come up? What questions does this raise? Our 2 cents.

Sep 24, 2022

One does not simply get to drive in F1 one fine day. We can hear Boromir’s voice echo in our ears as we read articles about Colton Herta and FIA F1 super license points. For those who need a visual, here’s an image too.

Background:

To race in any ultimate sport - F1 - you require some “points”. In this case, they are called the super license points. You win these points when you compete in “other” events and do well in them. Well we are not going to get into the details of how much points each event and position gives you. Let me just say, life is unfair and so are the points system to get to F1. You can read more about the points system on this wiki page.

Back to whats happening…

So once a driver has acquired the required 40 super license points, they are eligible to drive in F1. Everyone racing on the grid right now have earned their way into their seat. Yes, that includes Lance Stroll and Nicholas Goatifi. This point system was brought about sometime in the past to protect the F1 drivers and the F1 track from just anyone and everyone who could get a seat into the sport. It helped create meritocracy and a sense of achievement for drivers coming in from F2, F3, etc. However, there are other verticals which are equally intense but remember the - “life is unfair and so are the points”.

F1 - Indycar romance.

In recent times, we’ve seen, and primarily from Mclaren, the rise of Indycar in news and conversations when it comes to F1. Like F1, Indycar races on tracks, but they also have some races on ovals. Many drivers, once they, lets politely say, retire, head to Indycar cause the thrill and speeds and challenges are quite similar. The move from F1 → Indycar might be an easy one. But, its like a one sided lover, the move from Indycar → F1 - not that easy! Reason you ask, hah. Life is unfair and so is the points system in this sport. Go to the wiki again to see what I mean.

The topic at hand

Colton Herta is a great Indycar driver whose been doing great at the sport. He’s had great performances on the non-oval tracks, but not some good ones with the oval tracks. This led to him not winning the championship and hence not having enough points.

So, Herta is shy of a good 8-9 points from the required total of 40. But, he is a great driver who wants to race in F1 and is seeking an exemption from FIA towards those super license points rule. Helmet Marko, has even said that they have a seat ready for him if FIA provides the exemption.

Herta → Alpha Tauri. Gasly → Alpine in Alonso’s seat. On a side note this would be awesome. We could potentially have an all French team - French team with both French drivers.

Otmar, Alpine team principle, posing for complete dominance

BUT! BUT! BUT! like any other place, dead bodies are creeping up from the graves. Folks killed in battle trying to fight these exemptions or just don’t want FIA handing out excemptions. Christian Lundgaad, a former F4, F3, and many more format driver has vocally spoken against FIA providing any exemptions to any drivers for the sake of getting into the sport. He himself was shy of just 1 point and was denied the exemption and now is vocal that rules should be the same for everyone.

The Main Question

Okay, we lied in the heading here. We have more than 1 question.

Should FIA provide the said exemption to Colton Herta and let him do away with his points deficit and race in F1?

The whole points system is outdated?

Does FIA require a overhaul in its points system and be open to bringing in drivers from other similar formats that can match the temperament and difficulties of F1?

Should Mattia and Ferrari strategists be replaced?

Our 2 cents

Colton is American, Cash is King, Liberty media is American, there are 3 American GPs (and who knows maybe more in the future) … Do you get our 2 cents and where this is going?

For now, while the FIA has decided not to make the exception, this matter is not gonna end here.

However, there needs to be a review in the points system. As both Otmar and Guenther Steiner, Haas team principal, have said that they’d be open with providing inputs and so would other stakeholders be if FIA was to open this up for discussion. We think that is how it should be.

Once that happens though, how insecure will the current academy drivers get? How nervous will the current karting through F2 drivers get?

Well life is unfair and so are the points system. FIGHT!