Eight years since announcing Formula 1 was closed to anyone under the age of 18, the FIA has softened its position.
In updated rules issued this week, the sport’s governing body is now allowing 17-year-olds to race in the series. However they must have “recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”
Whether they meet these criteria will be determined “at the sole discretion of the FIA”, the updated rules specify.
The announcement comes after the FIA received a request to alter its rules in order to allow Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to race in the series before he turns 18 in August.
It’s a somewhat ironic development, as the original 18-year age limit was originally imposed in reaction to another 17-year-old making their F1 debut: Max Verstappen in 2015.
Should the FIA have stuck to the limit in the first place? Was it never needed to begin with? Or has their latest change hit the right balance?
For
Formula 1 is the fastest form of circuit racing there is. It is demanding and potentially dangerous, and young drivers need the chance to develop their skills before being rushed into it.
Imposing an age limit therefore makes sense. However, drivers mature at different rates and the age limits on junior categories can vary between countries. The FIA is therefore correct to give itself the opportunity to allow those in who will turn 18 during a season.
The qualifications for new drivers to come into F1 are already tough. They must compete and succeed in sufficient high-quality series to gain at least 40 superlicence points. Achieving this is hard enough that softening the 18-year age limit is unlikely to result in an influx of young drivers in the series.
Against
The 18-year age limit was never needed in the first place. It was a knee-jerk reaction to the arrival of Verstappen, and the huge success he has enjoyed is the best proof anyone could ask for that age limits aren’t needed.
F1 teams should always want to pick the best driver available for them. They are best suited to judge whether a driver is capable, fit and mature enough to compete.
The FIA’s role should only be to ensure a driver is competent enough to compete in F1. Once any driver demonstrates that, they should be allowed to race, regardless of how old or young they are.
I say
Whether the limit is 18, 17 or something else matters less to me than having clear regulations. And this…
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