FIA 2026 Super License: Norris and Verstappen pay more than R$6 million each on the grid By Thiago Lemos
4 min read
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Federação Internacional of Automobilismo (FIA) defined the values of super licenses for the 2026 season of Essa charging follows the formula established by the entity, which includes a fixed fee and an additional value per point added in the previous season.
Teams are responsible for paying these fees, which do not impact the category’s budget ceiling. Max Verstappen, runner-up in 2025, also exceeds one million euros, while Oscar Piastri is close to that amount. Pilotos without points or newcomers only pay the base value, around 11.8 thousand euros.
- Fixed fee: 11,842 euros for all competitors.
- Value per point: additional 2,392 euros.
- Estimated total raised by the FIA: around 7.1 million euros with the complete grid.
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How the super license calculation works
The super license is the mandatory document issued by the FIA that authorizes drivers to compete at the highest level of motorsport. Seu cost is recalculated annually, with a fixed base of 11,842 euros and an increase of 2,392 euros for each point obtained in the previous Mundial. Essa structure encourages performance but significantly raises values for championship leaders.
In the case of Lando Norris, the 423 points gained in 2025 result in a total fee of more than 1.02 million euros. Verstappen, with 421 points, has a similar value, and Piastri, with 410, is close to a million. Essa variation directly reflects success on the track, financially penalizing the most consistent.
Detailed values per pilot
Costs vary widely depending on the 2025 score. Norris tops the list, followed closely by Verstappen and Piastri, forming the most expensive trio on the grid. George Russell, fourth in the previous championship, has a high intermediate rate.
Other competitors, such as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, pay lower amounts due to more moderate scores. The Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, with 19 points in his debut season for Sauber, faces a reduced cost.
- Lando Norris: more than R$6.4 million.
- Max Verstappen: around R$6.4 million.
- Oscar Piastri: close to R$6.2 million.
- George Russell: around R$4.8 million.
Minimum fee riders
Four drivers on the 2026 grid only pay the base fee of approximately R$74,000. Franco Colapinto did not score in 2025 for Alpine, while veterans Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas return to the category for Cadillac with no points from the previous season. Newcomer Arvid Lindblad also falls into this category.
This situation benefits newcomers and returnees, allowing greater focus on adapting to the car. Pérez and Bottas bring experience to the new American team, which debuts at Fórmula 1 in 2026.
History of records in the super license
The highest value ever recorded belongs to Max Verstappen, who paid 1.21 million euros in 2023 after a dominant season with 575 points. In 2026, Norris takes the lead on this list, surpassing the Dutchman for the first time. The FIA uses these resources for operations and safety improvements in the category.
The current structure maintains financial balance, as top teams bear the highest costs. The total raised in 2026 approaches record levels, reflecting the high competitive level of 2025.
Complete list of approximate values in reais
The calculations consider the recent exchange rate of the euro and the end points of 2025. Norris and Verstappen lead, while Bortoleto represents the Brasil with an affordable value for the
- Lando Norris: R$6,430,000 (423 points).
- Max Verstappen: R$6,400,000 (421 points).
- Oscar Piastri: R$6,235,000 (410 points).
- George Russell: R$4,867,000 (319 points).
- Charles Leclerc: R$3,710,000 (242 points).
- Lewis Hamilton: R$2,418,000 (156 points).
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli: R$2,328,000 (150 points).
- Alexander Albon: R$1,171,000 (73 points).
- Carlos Sainz: R$1,036,000 (64 points).
- Fernando Alonso: R$916,000 (56 points).
- Isack Hadjar: R$841,000 (51 points).
- Nico Hulkenberg: R$841,000 (51 points).
- Oliver Bearman: R$690,000 (41 points).
- Liam Lawson: R$645,000 (38 points).
- Esteban Ocon: R$645,000 (38 points).
- Bid Stroll: R$570,000 (33 points).
- Pierre Gasly: R$405,000 (22 points).
- Gabriel Bortoleto: R$360,000 (19 points).
- Franc Colapinto, Arvid Lindblad, Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas: R$74,000 (0 points).
Repercussions between teams and drivers
Teams absorb these costs without impacting the budget limit, allowing drivers to focus on performance. McLaren shells out more than 2 million euros for Norris and Piastri alone. Estruturas minors, like Cadillac, benefit from low rates for their veterans.
This formula maintains the tradition of rewarding success, although it increases expenses for the protagonists. The 2026 season promises balance, with 11 teams on the grid.
