FIA changes IndyCar’s superlicence points allocation

The FIA has released a new superlicence points allocation for IndyCar ahead of the 2026 season.

IndyCar’s points allocation had been a point of contention for years, with many in the series’ paddock believing it was not generous enough.

As was the case previously, the top 10 finishers in the IndyCar championship will be awarded superlicence points; however, the allocation will be 40-30-25-20-15-10-8-6-3-1 instead of 40-30-20-10-8-6-4-3-2-1.

The change reinforces IndyCar’s status as F1’s second ‘feeder series’ in terms of superlicence points, behind Formula 2 (40-40-40-30-20-10-8-6-4-3) and ahead of Formula 3 (30-25-20-15-12-9-7-5-3-2), though IndyCar’s purpose is not to act as a springboard to the world championship.

Superlicence eligibility previously was a stumbling block to Colton Herta’s mooted F1 debut at AlphaTauri in 2023, as he had just 32 superlicence points to his name after successively taking seventh, third and fifth in IndyCar from 2019 to 2021.

With the new allocation, Herta would have had 48 superlicence points, crossing the eligibility threshold of 40 points. The change won’t matter to him as Cadillac’s new F1 test driver is moving to F2 for 2026 and aiming at a 2027 F1 seat.

Based on the last three IndyCar seasons, the only eligible drivers would be Alex Palou, who scored 120 superlicence points with three consecutive titles; Scott Dixon, who got 56 points with second, sixth and third; Pato O’Ward, who collected 48 points with fourth, fifth and second; Scott McLaughlin, on 41 points with third, third and 10th.

The new allocation will impact points scored from 2026 onwards. However, had it been implemented retroactively, it interestingly wouldn’t have awarded the superlicence to any more drivers over the 2023-2025 period: Palou (120pts), Dixon (65pts), O’Ward (65pts) and McLaughlin (51pts).

The closest driver below the threshold, Herta on 35 points, would still come short with 39.

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– The Autosport.com Team