The world of motorsport, in particular the Argentine public, closely follows the evolution of Franco Colapinto. Although rumors are circulating, the driver’s future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. What is certain is that to progress within the premier category, he will have to meet an essential condition.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has revealed the amounts that drivers must pay to obtain the 2025 superlicense and thus be able to take to the track. According to specialist sources, Colapinto, who currently holds a position as a reserve driver at Williams, will have to pay a total sum of $23,950.
This sum consists of a fixed fee of 11,453 euros ($12,000) to which is added an additional cost of 2,313 euros ($2,428) for each point accumulated during the previous season. In 2024, Colapinto has collected five points during the nine Grands Prix in which he has participated, with a first great moment on the Monza circuit. His best results include a solid eighth in Baku as well as a tenth in Austin, both achieved in the single-seater Williams F46.
The superlicense cost varies depending on the performance of each driver. For example, Max Verstappen, four-time world champion and leader of the 2024 ranking with 437 points, will have to pay the highest sum, i.e. $1,063,501. Lando Norris, runner-up and key player in McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship title, will pay $911,899, while Charles Leclerc settled for $868,376 after finishing third with Ferrari.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, newbies like Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) will pay the minimum amount required, set at $11,915. This group includes drivers who have not yet scored points in Formula 1.
Obtaining the superlicense requires not only paying the fee, but also meeting specific criteria, such as collecting a minimum of 40 points in categories such as Formula 2 or Formula 3 over a three-year period, holding a valid international license, and having completed 300 kilometers of Formula 1 single-wheel drive testing. Thus, the FIA strictly regulates access to the most prestigious competition in motorsport.
