How old do you have to be an F1 driver?
As per the FIA's rules and regulations , the Formula 1 drivers must be 18 years and above.
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F1 cars. Image via F1 Experiences
The Formula 1 driver start their careers at a very young age. It is no walk in the park. Most Formula One drivers start karting at the age of six. Either way, by the time they are teenagers, they have professional experience. This is essential to fulfill their dreams of one day becoming the next Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.
Upcoming youngsters who are destined for F1, who, from the moment they get into their kart, get a whiff of what it would feel like to race in the top tier, have to stay patient till they turn 18 to race in Formula One. That is the age limit set to enter the sport, and it was set in 2015. Two times F1 world Champion Max Verstappen’s debut was the reason why the sanctioning body imposed the age limit.
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F1 introduced a minimum age limit of 18 after Max Verstappen’s debut
Max Verstappen was the first and last 17-year-old to start a Formula One Grand Prix. He was signed by the Torro Rosso, Red Bull’s sister Team, when he was only 16. He made his debut at the age of 17 in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix after his dominant performance in the lower divisions. Verstappen was not old enough to drive a road car, let alone a Formula One car.
This was a wake-up call for the FIA. They immediately implemented a rule making it mandatory for the drivers to obtain Super Licence to compete in Formula One. This rule was introduced in 2016. The FIA did not want another underage driver behind the wheels of an F1 Machine driving in the circuits. Plenty of changes were made to the rules after Verstappen’s controversial signing with Torro Rosso due to his age.
Explained: FIA Super Licence system
The super license is mandatory for drivers who wish to join Formula One. It is awarded by the FIA and is the highest type of licence. There are certain requirements to obtain it.
- The driver needs to be 18 years old to compete in his first Formula One race.
- An International Grade A competition licence is required.
- Must hold a valid driving licence
- Must pass the theory test conducted by the FIA on the rules and regulations of the sport
- Completion of 80 per cent of two full seasons in a single-seater championship
- Should accumulate 40 points over three seasons in the series specified by the FIA
- Must have completed 300km in a representative Formula 1 car, as part of an official F1 session (like free-practice sessions) or with a test-certified national racing authority.
The rule governing the age was added after Max Verstappen made his debut. The FIA wanted to prevent inexperienced drivers from entering F1. Verstappen now holds the record as the youngest F1 racing driver, and it can never be broken according to the rules. No driver has been excepted from the super licence rule. AlphaTauri pursued the IndyCar driver, Colton Herta, for 2023. Unfortunately, he was not eligible for the super licence. On the other hand, Jehan Daruvala is eligible for the FIA super licence. He completed 130 laps with McLaren in 2021. Felipe Drovich also received his super license.
Who is the youngest driver to start their Formula 1 race?
Records are meant to be broken. Verstappen broke the record set by his predecessors. Times have changed. Now there are several requirements to be a Formula One driver. Only when individuals fulfill the criteria will they be allowed to race in the sport. At the time of Vettel’s debut, he held the record of being the youngest driver. Two years later, he went on to win the world championship.
| Driver Name | Age | Team |
| Max Verstappen | 17 years old | Scuderia Toro Rosso |
| Lance Stroll | 18 years old | Williams |
| Jaime Alguersuari | 19 years old | Scuderia Toro Rosso |
| Lando Norris | 19 years old | McLaren |
| Mike Thackwell | 19 years old | Tyrrell F1 team |
| Sebastian Vettel | 19 years old | BMW Sauber |
| Fernando Alonso | 19 years old | Minardi |
| Daniil Kyvat | 19 years old | Scuderia Toro Rosso |
| Esteban Ocon | 19 years old | Force India |
Who is the oldest driver to start a Formula 1 race?
Gone are the days when Formula One drivers raced till 55 years of age. It is quite surprising to look at the numbers. With determination and passion, these drivers prove that age is just a number. Formula One car are the fastest in the world, and these drivers hold the privilege of being the oldest to have ever raced in the sport.
| Driver Name | Age | Team |
| Louis Chiron | 55 years old | Maserati |
| Philippe Etancelin | 55 years old | Maserati |
| Arthur Legat | 54 years old | Veritas |
| Luigi Fagioli | 53 years old | Alfa Romeo |
| Adolf Brudes | 52 years old | Veritas |
| Hans Stuck | 52 years old | British Racing Motors |
| Bill Aston | 52 years old | Aston Butterworth |
| Clemente Biondetti | 52 years old | Maserati |
| Louis Rosier | 50 years old | Talbot-Lago |
| Rudolf Schoeller | 50 years old | Ferrari |
Is there a maximum age limit for F1 drivers?
No, there is no age restriction in Formula One. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years old. But there is no maximum age limit. Normally, the drivers decide to retire when they feel they have had enough of the sport. Also, the teams are always on the lookout for young talents. A study revealed that humans are in peak physical conditions till they reach 33.
But certain Formula One driver defy this research. Fernando Alonso is the best example. He is the oldest driver on the 2023 grid, 41 years old, driving for Aston Martin. Alonso still has the same passion and hunger. He is easily one of the top 3 drivers on the current grid and will achieve much more in a car capable of winning.
Formula One is a demanding sport. There is a need for physical strength, stamina and quick reaction time alongside other physical demands. The drivers know when to retire. They normally make the decisions themselves. The sport bids farewell to drivers only to see them return, like Micheal Schumacher, for example.
The champion, who was one of the fastest drivers of all time, retired in 2006 when he was 37 years old and made a comeback in 2010. Fernando Alonso also retired and returned to the sport. The fans hope that Sebastian Vettel will also return someday. The 35-year-old German announced the end of his racing career in 2022. Several drivers push beyond the age barrier and prove themselves worthy of a seat in Formula One.
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Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)