Later this week, the FIA have announced that they will conduct a review of the Super Licence process, in the wake of Max Verstappen’s signing to Toro Rosso for 2015.
At present, all a driver needs is 300km of running in a Formula 1 car to qualify for a super licence, which permits them to take part in grand prix weekends. However, in the wake of 16-year-old Verstappen’s signing to Toro Rosso for next season, many have questioned whether that is enough.
In an interview with the media when asked on the subject, 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve stated the following:-
‘Getting a Super License should be meaningful, not just doing three hundred kilometres and it being fine. There is something that is flawed there. Basically, it’s like getting all the presents without deserving anything.’
You can understand where Villeneuve is coming from here. As of course, it is a big test for any driver, never mind one of Verstappen’s age. But it would seem that he is not happy with the requirements to gain a Super Licence and feels that any driver looking to gain one needs more of a test in order to obtain one and feel like obtaining it is a sense of real achievement.
However, in contrast 2011 F3 Euro Series Champion Roberto Merhi did not automatically qualify for a Super Licence prior to his Caterham run at Monza. The FIA is now set to review the process for granting a Super Licence.
In a press statement to the media, the World Motorsport Council and the FIA have stated the following about reviewing the Super Licence process:-
‘A mandate has been given to the FIA Administration to review the qualification and conditions for the issuing of a super licence, in consultation with all parties concerned. A proposal will be put forward for WMSC approval in December for implementation in 2016.’
It would seem that the World Motorsport Council and the FIA are going to review the process accordingly over the next few months to the benefit of everyone who works towards getting young drivers such as Verstappen a Super Licence. In my opinion, I feel that even though more could be done for young drivers to be tested for a Super Licence, you cannot take away the sense of achievement that drivers such as Max Verstappen have from doing the current test.
To gain a Super Licence is a fantastic achievement for any driver who is in the sport currently or has passed the test and is undergoing testing duties for a team too. It shows from gaining the licence that they are skilled and talented enough to be in the pinnacle of motorsport in the first place and have worked so hard in order to gain the licence in the first place.
But it is clear that December will be an important month for this subject and and I am sure that a few pundits and fans will be keeping an eye out on just how this issue will be resolved and resolved to satisfaction for all involved without taking away the challenge and the sense of achievement from any driver looking to gain a Super Licence now and in the distant future.
