F1 Today | FIA change Super Licence rule, Schumacher hopes for F1 return

FIA change the Super Licence rules

After Max Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut at the age of just 16, the FIA introduced a rule which meant that anyone under the age of 18 couldn't acquire a Super Licence, which is needed to race in Formula 1. However, whilst the minimum age of eighteen has remained, an exception to the rule has been placed below it:

"At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years old."

This could pave the way for Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli to make his Formula debut before he turns 18. Rumours have circulated in past months that Williams made a request to the FIA to grant Antonelli his super licence to allow him to replace Logan Sargeant before the end of the season. This new rule would allow this to happen, so could we see Antonelli make his F1 debut in the very near future? 

Schumacher still holds on to F1 dream

After two miserable seasons with Haas F1, Schumacher lost his drive for the 2023 season, replaced by veteran Nico Hulkenberg. During 2023, Schumacher acted as reserve driver for both Mercedes and McLaren but was never called upon. For 2024, he stayed on as Mercedes reserve driver and is frequently spotted behind Toto Wolff in the team's garage, but he is also racing once again. 

The German joined Alpine's endurance programme and will race in the #36 car for them at this weekend's 24 hours of Le Mans. Despite this, the son of 7-time world champion Micheal is still eying a return to the pinnacle of motorsport. 

In an interview with The Independent, Schumacher confirmed he's "not ready to let go of that dream yet", but options seem to be running our for him, especially when drivers like Carlos Sainz are out of contract. 

You can read what Schumacher said here! 

Verstappen unsure on '26 regulations

Before the Canadian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA announced the new technical regulations for the 2026 season. This included shorter and narrower cars, and the removal of DRS for an 'active aero' system. 

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is unsure on these new regulations though, despite his team Red Bull nailing the latest in 2022. Verstappen gave his opinion in the build-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, which he won ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell. Read his thoughts here! 

Could Toyota return to Formula 1? 

Toyota haven't raced in Formula One since 2009, when they pulled out of the sport. 15 years on, there is still no regret from the team, who are now one of the best teams in World Endurance Racing having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times. 

In an exclusive interview with GPblog, Rob Leupen (Team director of the WEC Team) insists a return to F1 shouldn't be expected. He believes that the team has goals they can reach easier in WEC, whereas an entry to Formula 1 would require years of waiting, like Audi have had to do. 

You can read his full interview exclusively here! 

Norris' 2024 record

Lando Norris took his first career win back at the Miami Grand Prix, ending his run of podiums without a win. The McLaren driver is now the only driver on the grid who has scored points in every single Grand Prix, with both Ferrari's retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix and Verstappen's DNF in Australia. 

Including sprint races, Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri are the only drivers who have scored points at every single race weekend, but Piastri finished 13th in the Miami race after contact with Carlos Sainz.