Superlicensing System 'unfair' On 'F1-capable' IndyCar Drivers

Alex Palu says the points system for obtaining the FIA Superlicense is “very unfair” in some series, including IndyCar.

Last weekend, Palu made his Formula 1 practice debut with McLaren at the United States Grand Prix, and the Spaniard confirmed he has a superlicence, meaning he could be called up for an F1 race.

Palou Jr’s career spanned Formula 2 and its support series GP3 (now known as Formula 3), as well as the rival Formula V8 3.5 and the Euroformula and Super Formula lights series, both of which ran under the then-standard F3 rules.

He topped single-seaters in Super Formula, came close to winning the title in his single season, then switched to IndyCar in 2020 and won last year’s title. IndyCar offers fewer Superlicence points than F2 – just 90 for the top three championship winners, plus 120 for the F2 top three – and more points can be earned in the FIA F3 Championship than in Super Formula.

Palau commented on the allocation of superlative points to the professional series. “I have a high will, I’m happy, I don’t care what happens.

But I think it’s very unfair that there are some series that don’t get enough license points. Pato [O’Ward] don’t have [enough points for a superlicence], and third in the championship, fourth and seventh in the championship. A guy like that, 17 weekends racing in IndyCar with guys with ten or 15 years of experience – that guy can do a lot in F1.

“But this is the law, and we hope they will change it in the future. I understand that the FIA also wants everyone to qualify in Europe and elsewhere, but it’s true that you can get more points by running in the Thailand winter series and winning that than by finishing fifth in IndyCar. I don’t know if it’s fair.”

After being F2 drivers, Nikita Mazepin and Zhou Guanyu eased their way into Super Licenses by competing in the Formula One Regional Asia Championship in fourth place.

“I think the program they have in F2 is good. If you finish in the top three, you get a top license and that’s how it should be,” Palu added. “But I think they could probably give a little bit more.”

Palu is one of those in IndyCar who wants to increase the value of the Super license of that series and said: “We are [not] Too much to ask” with that F2 can maintain its status as a top series even with a points increase for IndyCar.

“I think you have to give a little more importance in IndyCar, basically the level of the drivers and also how long the season is. I mean, the track time we get, compared to an F2 driver, is huge. And I’m not saying we’re better, but we can go out and drive in F1.

Palou’s rival Pato Oward is set to drive for McLaren in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice and the F1 Young Driver Test, while Colton Herta is an IndyCar driver in the McLaren F1 test program.

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