From 2016, the FIA is to introduce a new points-based system for drivers needing a super licence to race in Formula One.

With Max Verstappen due to become the youngest ever driver to start a Grand Prix, when he lines up on the Melbourne grid aged just 17 years 6 months, the FIA has already agreed a number of proposals to be introduced in 2016 including a minimum age (18), valid (road) driving licence and at least two years experience in "minor formulas".

Coming into F1 just a year after leaving karts, the Dutch youngster would currently fail on all three counts.

In a further move to tighten-up the process whereby the super licence is acquired the FIA has now come up with a points based system.

In the three-year period preceding his application for the super licence, the driver must have accumulated at least 40 points based on a system devised by the FIA and based on the applicants overall final championship position in specific designated series.

The only championships that would count are: Formula Renault 1.6 National and International Series, Formula 3 National Championships, Formula Renault 2.0 International Series (EuroCup, ALPS or NEC), Formula 4 National Championships certified by the FIA, IndyLights, Japanese Super Formula, GP3 series, Formula Renault 3.5, IndyCar, FIA WEC (LMP1 only), FIA F3 European Championship, GP2 series and Future FIA F2 Championship.

The points value of each series and where one finishes varies; Future FIA F2 Championship winner, for example, earning 60 points, compared to the winner of the GP2 Series (50) and FIA F3 European Championship (40). Indeed the GP3 champion would receive 30 points, meaning that Verstappen, who finished third overall in 2014, would receive just 20 points.

In fact, other than F2 and GP2, only the championship winner in FIA F3 European Championship, FIA WEC (LMP1) and Indy Car can earn the 40 points needed for the 2016 super licence.

Had the new system been in place previously, a number of current stars, including Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo, would not have met the criteria.

Interestingly, the new rules also make it harder for former drivers to return to the sport after coming out of retirement, a move which would have prevented Michael Schumacher's comebacks. The new rules state that to qualify for the super licence a driver must have started at least 5 (F1) races in the previous season and 15 races in the previous three years.

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Canuck, 07/01/2015 3:11

"Just because some teams or F1 gurus object to a 17 yr old being hired by Torro Rosso, FIA has to spend useless money on coming up with a system to reduce illegibility to F1. There are more serious issues to be discussed such as the SPORT issues. A governing body is not there to constantly issue new rules, but should rather concentrate on refining and reducing the number of rules. Loop holes will always be found. Look at Government all over reacting to pressures with little sense in the long term. Same exists in this sport, maybe because they forget it is suppose to be a sport. Like all new rules those that have an invested interest will always look for loop holes. So now with is new regulation/rule, all will look for loop holes. Why does the FIA pay idiots to come up with idiotic solutions to non problems? Somebody whines give them cheese. Should we change the rules every time somebody whines? Gee I dont like these tires -- change? Gee I dont like the noise -- Change? Gee I dont like the noses -- Change? Gee I dont like the FIA -- Change? YES"

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2. Posted by Vinicius, 06/01/2015 18:10

"First they need to cut costs in order to get rid with the pay drivers, then they should start thinking about this ideas. Also is wrong to block retired drivers from comebacks, they already got the experience. But forcing the real talents to be the only selective to enter the circus is good, in a long term."

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3. Posted by Canuck, 06/01/2015 14:33

"Another knee jerk reaction from the FIA. When you look at who would not have qualified in the recent past, you know there is something wrong with this decision. Soon they will want that today's drivers re-qualify for their licence. After losing x points on your super licence, maybe introduce a re-qualification. Just think of the funds the FIA could gather from this. Mr Todd is taking pages from Mr E's golden book"

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FIA to introduce points-based system for super licences

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