Getting into Formula One has now changed. Instead of having raw speed – and heavy financial backing – drivers now have to prove themselves over a period of three years over numerous championships. It’s got us in a right state.
But what if we turn our attention to the current batch of F1 drivers?
It doesn’t really matter now, as most of today’s crop have won World Championships despite not meeting any of the criteria.
Looking at who does qualify, Nico Hulkenberg tops the list thanks to his successes at P2 and European Formula 3 levels. Pastor Maldonado also comfortably scores the 40 points needed to enter F1, with 28 points left over to, presumably, have enough to have another go on the waltzer.
Making the grade
Nico Hulkenberg – 110 points (GP2, 1st, F3 Euro 1st, F3 Euro, 3rd)
Lewis Hamilton – 98 points (GP2, 1st; F3 Euro 1st; F3 Euro, 5th)
Pastor Maldonado – 68 points (GP2, 1st; GP2, 6th; GP2, 5th)
Nico Rosberg – 63 points (GP2, 1st; F3 Euro, 4th; F3 Euro 8th)
Romain Grosjean – 60 points (GP2, 4th; F3 Euro, 1st)*
Felipe Nasr – 52 points (GP2, 3rd; GP2, 4th, GP2, 10th)
Valtteri Bottas – 50 points (GP3, 1st; F3 Euro 3rd)
Sergio Perez – 42 points (GP2, 2nd; British F3, 4th)
Daniil Kvyat – 42 points (GP3, 1st; F. Renault Alps, 1st; F. Renault Euro, 3rd, F. Renault NEC, 1st)
*Before his 2009 debut with Renault
Missing out
Carlos Sainz – 38 points (Formula Renault 3.5, 1st; F3 European Championship)
Sebastian Vettel – 38 points (F3 Euro, 2nd; F3 Euro, 5th)
Felipe Massa – 35 points (F3000 Euro, 1st; Formula Renault 2.0, 1st)
Daniel Ricciardo – 35 points (Formula Renault 3.5, 2nd; British F3, 1st; Formula Renault 2.0, 1st)
Fernando Alonso – 25 points (FIA F3000, 4th; Open by Nissan, 1st)
Max Verstappen – 20 points (F3 European Championship, 3rd)**
Marcus Ericsson – 12 points (GP2, 6th; GP2 8th; GP2, 10th)
Jenson Button – 5 points (British Formula 3, 3rd)
Kimi Raikkonen – 5 points (Formula Renault 2.0 UK, 1st)
**Also under the new minimum age of 18
There’s some of the sport’s biggest names in the bottom half, in fact, there’s 8 World Championships and 120 race wins!
What are your thoughts on the new super licence rules? Let us know below!
