why Colapinto will have to pay 24 thousand dollars and Verstappen more than a million

The future of Franco Colapinto in the Formula 1 remains a mystery. Everything seems to indicate that the Argentine will serve next season – or at least start the year – as a reserve driver for Williamsalthough the versions continue to circulate that negotiations between Williams and other teams – Alpine, above all – are still in process. Whatever his destination for 2025, if the man from Pilar wants to be ready to take to the track if the opportunity arises, he must have his super license. And in the last hours, it became known how much he will have to pay to comply with that requirement.

That special “card” that the premier category requires to run will cost the Argentine a little more than the amount that the three debutants will have to pay, the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), the Italian Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and the French Isaac Hadjar (Racing Bulls). Although much less than the millionaire figure that the current champion will pay, Max Verstappen.

How is the “price” of the super license calculated? The starting point is 11,453 euros and 2,313 are added for each point obtained in the previous season. Colapinto added five points in the nine races he ran, four in Baku and one in Austinso you will have to put 23,018 in European currency on the table, which today is equivalent to 23,926.93 dollars.

Bortoleto, Antonelli and Hadjar, who have not yet debuted in F1, and Jack Doohanthe Australian who has the seat Alpine in which many expected to see the Pilar native and who ran the last date of 2024 in Abu Dhabi without getting points, they will pay the minimum.

Alexander Albonwho was a teammate of the Argentine in the last championship, just under twice as much as Franco. With 12 points accumulated, the Thai will pay $40,758.

Nothing compared to the cost of the licenses of those who finished first in the championship.

The Monegasque Charles Leclercwho was third with Ferrari and 356 points, you will have to pay 834,881 euros ($867,849). The British Lando Norriswhich in addition to celebrating the constructors’ championship with McLarenwas runner-up in drivers by achieving 374 units, 876,515 (911,127). AND Verstappenwho won his fourth consecutive world title (all with Red Bull) with the impressive harvest of 437, must pay 1,022,234 (1,062,600) to be able to defend the crown in 2025.

Opening the wallet is not the only requirement to obtain the premier category super license. The International Automobile Federation It also sets other sporting conditions, such as accumulating at least 40 points in a period of three years in minor categories, such as Formula 2 or Formula 3, having a valid international license and having completed 300 kilometers of testing in a Formula 1 car.

Colapinto met that last requirement in late 2023, when he tested the Williams FW45 in Abu Dhabi and completed 65 laps of the Yas Marina circuit.

To meet the points condition, it benefited from an exception to the rule introduced by the FIA ​​during the coronavirus pandemic, which says that if 2021 is part of that period of three consecutive years, the automobile federation takes the three best years of a period of four to grant a super license.

The Argentine had added only 27.5 units in the three seasons prior to his debut in F1: 5 in the European Regional Formula and 4.5 in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2021; 3 in the Formula 3 in 2022; and 15 in the Formula 2 in 2023. But that “tweak” to the regulations that the FIA ​​made made his 2020 harvest also count for the calculations and he was able to add the 17 that he had achieved by finishing third in the FIA ​​championship. Formula Renault Eurocupto reach 44.5.

Thus, he was able to be promoted by Williams in August, to replace Logan Sargeantand compete in the last nine races of the calendar. Today, without a seat – he already knew when he arrived that in 2025 his place would be taken Carlos Sainz-, is waiting to confirm what will happen to him next year. Although he will surely have his super license up to date so as not to miss the opportunity to race in the top category again, if the chance presents itself.