FIA boosts IndyCar superlicence points from 2026, easing path to F1

The path from IndyCar to Formula 1 has become significantly clearer after the FIA approved an increase in superlicence points awarded to drivers in the American championship, effective from the 2026 season. This long-awaited adjustment addresses a key barrier that has previously blocked talented drivers like Colton Herta from making the switch, despite the high level of competition in IndyCar.

Why it matters:

The superlicence points system acts as Formula 1's primary gatekeeper, requiring drivers to accumulate 40 points from eligible series before they can race. The previous allocation for IndyCar was widely criticized as disproportionately low, valuing a top-four finish in the fiercely competitive series less than a podium in Formula 3. This change formally recognizes IndyCar's status as a premier global racing category and opens a more viable pipeline for its best drivers to reach F1, potentially enriching the talent pool on the grid.

The details:

The FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the revisions, stating they were made "to reflect the growing significance of the category."

• The champion (40 points) and runner-up (30 points) totals remain unchanged, automatically granting a superlicence.
• Key increases: Third place now receives 25 points (up from 20), fourth gets 20 (up from 10), fifth receives 15 (up from 8), and sixth gets 10 (up from 6).
• Smaller boosts apply for seventh, eighth, and ninth places, while tenth place still receives one point. No points are awarded for finishes outside the top ten.
• The new system applies from January 1, 2026. Results from 2023-2025 will still be calculated under the old points distribution.

The big picture:

This reform follows years of lobbying from within the IndyCar paddock and highlights from high-profile cases. McLaren F1 reserve driver Pato O'Ward had been a vocal critic of the old system, which he argued undervalued the championship. The change indirectly validates the career path of drivers like Alex Palou, the 2021 and 2023 IndyCar champion, who now has a more straightforward route to F1 should an opportunity arise. It also better aligns the points with the practical difficulty and prestige of achieving top results in IndyCar compared to other feeder series.

What's next:

While the change won't affect Colton Herta's current pursuit of an F1 seat via Formula 2, it establishes a fairer framework for future IndyCar stars. The first drivers to benefit will be those contesting the 2026 IndyCar season. This adjustment, alongside other minor sporting tweaks confirmed in the same meeting—like a return to a single pre-season test from 2027—signals the FIA's ongoing effort to refine the sporting and regulatory landscape connecting the global motorsport pyramid to Formula 1.