Max Verstappen’s dominant performance in the 2023 F1 season leads to a record Super Licence fee for 2024, prompting a debate on the fee structure and its impact on drivers and teams.
Three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen has raised concerns about the hefty fees associated with the FIA’s Super Licence, a mandatory requirement for competing in Formula 1, after being handed a fee of over €1 million for the 2024 season.
Key Takeaways:
Super Licence Costs: Each driver’s Super Licence incurs a base fee of €10,400, with an additional €2,100 for every point earned in the previous season. Verstappen’s exceptional tally of 575 points means his entry fee for the 2024 season totals a record €1,217,900.
Red Bull’s Responsibility: Verstappen confirmed in an interview with Viaplay that Red Bull, not he, will bear the cost of this fee. He stated, “The team pays that, fortunately.”
Call for Change: Highlighting the significant disparity in fees across the grid, with newcomers like Logan Sargeant paying just a fraction of his amount, Verstappen argues for a more rational approach to fee calculation. He believes the current system, which did not anticipate such high point totals, needs revision.
Max Verstappen’s recent remarks cast a spotlight on the financial dynamics of Formula 1, particularly the costs associated with the FIA’s Super Licence. Following a season where he clinched his third World Championship by winning 19 of 22 races, Verstappen’s success has led to a substantial licence fee for the upcoming year. This fee, calculated based on points scored, is the largest since the rule’s implementation.
Interestingly, Verstappen has confirmed that the financial burden of this fee will not fall on him but on his team, Red Bull. This arrangement is a common practice in Formula 1, where teams often absorb such costs for their drivers.
The contrast in licence fees across the grid is stark. Logan Sargeant, faces a fee that is just one per cent of Verstappen’s. This disparity has led to Verstappen voicing his opinion on the need for change. In his words:
“The team pays that, fortunately.
“I do think there should be some normal ratio in that. But you know, things like that get written down, and I don’t think anybody expected that there would end up being that many points scored.”
