Why Verstappen is the reason the FIA is now being 'difficult' on Herta

The super-licence system is currently a hot topic in Formula 1 with Colton Herta looking to make the switch to AlphaTauri. Will Buxton, however, stresses why the rule was ever devised.

Verstappen the 'culprit

In 2015, Max Verstappen debuted in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso and it generated a lot of criticism. According to many, the youngest driver ever in F1 was far too young to already be active in the sport. In fact, Verstappen did not even have a driver's licence when he made his debut at the age of 17. This prompted the FIA to take measures.

The super-licence system was introduced to ensure that no young driver with so little experience in formula cars (Verstappen only raced one season in Formula 3) would ever again be able to step into F1. Since then, young drivers have had to accumulate 40 points in various preliminary classes before making the switch to F1. There is also a minimum age of eighteen and the driver must hold a driving licence.

''Fascinating, isn’t it, that the superlicense points system was brought in as a knee jerk reaction to the rapid ascent to formula 1 of a driver who has amassed thus far 17 poles, 21 fastest laps, 30 victories, 72 podiums, a world championship and is well on the way to his second,'' Buxton revealed in a tweet.

Fascinating, isn’t it, that the superlicense points system was brought in as a knee jerk reaction to the rapid ascent to formula 1 of a driver who has amassed thus far 17 poles, 21 fastest laps, 30 victories, 72 podiums, a world championship and is well on the way to his second.

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) September 7, 2022

AlphaTauri and Colton Herta are therefore now in the waiting room. Herta won seven races in IndyCar at a young age, but that class is undervalued in the FIA's points system, meaning Herta doesn't have enough points for a super license. Red Bull hopes that the FIA will make an exception, where Nyck de Vries would find that unjust.