IndyCar drivers angry at FIA: 'We are being blocked by this system'

IndyCar drivers Alex Palou and Pato O'Ward have criticised the FIA's super licence system. Speaking to The Race both drivers voiced their frustrations and express hope that in the future it will be easier to progress from IndyCar to Formula 1.

The superlicence system has received a lot of attention over the past year. IndyCar driver Colton Herta seemed to be well on his way to securing a seat at AlphaTauri but eventually had to give up because the FIA would not grant him a superlicence. A similar situation is currently looming at Williams: that team has its hopes pinned on Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant but he too is still awaiting a full licence.

For Palou and O'Ward, reason enough to be critical of the current system. Both men are driving training sessions for McLaren this year but for now that will also be the only thing they do in Formula 1. O'Ward in particular is very critical of the whole situation.

"I understand they want to have a filter. But I really think there are a lot of drivers who have the talent and deserve a chance but don't get it because of the super licence. I hope something will be done about that. I think I have proven - and many others with me - that I am capable enough to drive in F1. But we are being blocked by this system."

O'Ward gets support from his colleague Palou

Palou holds back a bit more, but he too has little good to say about the FIA's system. " I think it is very unfair that in some championships you cannot get enough points," said Palou. "Someone like Pato drives 17 race weekends a year and competes against people with 10 years more experience. He could do a lot of good in Formula 1."

Currently, only the winner of IndyCar gets enough points to secure a super licence. Anyone finishing lower has to get enough points in other ways, such as by staying in IndyCar longer through several years or doing extra work with Formula One teams.