Red Bull Boss Clarifies Max Verstappen's Super Licence Story
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies clarified that his first task as FIA safety director was to *reform* the Super Licence process *because* of Max Verstappen's controversial 17-year-old debut, not to facilitate it. Then-FIA President Jean Todt deemed it "ridiculous" for someone so young to race F1, leading to the stringent age and points requirements now in place, a direct consequence of Verstappen's early entry into the sport.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies recently clarified a long-standing misconception regarding Max Verstappen's Super Licence. Contrary to popular belief, Mekies's initial task as FIA safety director a decade ago was to tighten, not ease, the Super Licence regulations immediately following Verstappen's controversial accreditation at just 17 years old. This move, directly requested by then-FIA President Jean Todt, aimed to prevent a similar situation from recurring.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's rapid ascent to Formula 1 at such a young age prompted a significant overhaul of the Super Licence system. This reform has since become a cornerstone of driver eligibility, ensuring that future talents meet more stringent criteria before entering the pinnacle of motorsport. Understanding this backstory provides crucial context to the current F1 driver pathway and the FIA's commitment to safety and appropriate experience levels.
The Details:
- Verstappen's Debut: Max Verstappen became F1's youngest-ever debutant in the 2015 season, joining the grid at 17 years old with Toro Rosso.
- Mekies's Role: Laurent Mekies joined the FIA in 2014 as safety director. His very first directive from FIA President Jean Todt was to reform the Super Licence process.
- Todt's Mandate: Todt reportedly stated, "This cannot happen again," expressing concern that a 17-year-old could drive an F1 car without even a street driving license.
- Super Licence Reform: This led to the implementation of a new points system and a minimum age requirement.
- Current Requirements: To obtain an F1 Super Licence now, drivers must accumulate a minimum of 40 FIA Super Licence points within a three-year period and be at least 18 years old.
- Rare Exemption: Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad recently received a rare exemption to participate in FP1 at the British Grand Prix a month before his 18th birthday, highlighting the strictness of the current rules.
Between the lines:
While Verstappen's talent was undeniable and he quickly proved his worth in F1, the 'ridiculous' nature of his age at the time forced the FIA to re-evaluate its gateway policies. This incident effectively closed the door for similarly young drivers to jump straight into F1, establishing a more structured and points-based progression system through junior categories. Mekies humorously noted that Verstappen might not want to know his role was "trying to stop him just a bit!"
What's next:
The reformed Super Licence system continues to shape the careers of aspiring F1 drivers, emphasizing a proven track record in feeder series. While exceptions are rare, the rules are largely adhered to, ensuring that drivers entering F1 possess a certain level of maturity and competitive experience, a direct legacy of the 'Max Verstappen rule'.