S5000 SUPERLICENCE POINTS PUSH

S5000 Superlicence points push – Photo: Supplied

Moves are underway for S5000 competitors to score points towards qualification for an FIA Superlicence.

By MARK FOGARTY

A proposal is before the Australian Motor Racing Commission for S5000 to be added to the international categories that can help earn Superlicence qualification.

A Superlicence is needed to race in Formula 1, with drivers qualifying by accumulating the requisite number of points in nominated development categories or major national championships.

S5000 would become attractive to aspiring overseas open-wheel drivers if it helped them gain eligibility for F1, as well as young local drivers looking to international careers.

Superlicence points would also enhance the possibility of a trans-Tasman S5000 summer series with appeal to foreign young guns, much as NZ’s TRS series attracts them because it offers Superlicence points during the northern hemisphere off-season.

S5000 would offer points on a similar scale to TRS, the value of which is below FIA F3, the second last step on the official ladder to F1.

Motorsport Australia chief executive Eugene Arocca confirmed the AMRC was looking at petitioning the FIA to add S5000 to the list of Superlicence qualifiers from 2021.

“It’s still something under consideration,” Arocca said.

There is a view that the move is warranted because S5000 is Australia’s premier open-wheel category, awarded national championship status and earning the coveted ‘Gold Star’ title once racing resumes. S5000 category manager – and father of the modern F5000 revival – Chris Lambden sees real value in the spec-formula V8 single-seaters joining the Superlicence pathway.

“If our series, as seems possible, runs over the summer, Superlicence points would be an added incentive for overseas drivers to compete,” Lambden said.

It is likely the coronavirus-delayed S5000 championship will run across the summer once the ARG-run series finally kicks off, most likely in November.

Longer-term, scoring Superlicence points is part of a plan to revive the S5000 Tasman Cup concept with an international series in New Zealand and Australia during January/ February.

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