What can F1 champion Max Vastapane do with its new FIA Platinum Race License?

This is no secret Max Verustapane Dreams of competing in 24 hours take Mans. And now, after their GT3 test with Emil Frey Racing at Nerburgering-Nardschlef- Where he went under the pseudonym Name Franz Harman – There is speculation that 24 -hour Nerburgering is also on his wish list.

This type of endurance race requires a specific FIA license, and Vastapain has recently received one.

Speaking F1 ahead of Spanish Grand PrixHe revealed that he had applied for a license two weeks ago. “I applied because at some point I was going to do it anyway, so it was better to finish it,” Vastapane told the media including Motorsports.com. “It’s super easy. It’s just a form. You fill it, you pay, and a week later you get a response.”

This reaction was clear: Vastapane falls under the platinum category – the most of all FIA license levels.

“I was really expecting a bronze license!” Jokes. “Maybe I would appeal to the platinum license to get at least one silver, but I don’t expect it.”

Why platinum immediately?

The verstappen immediately falls into the highest category as he holds a Formula 1 superlisance. F1 drivers are automatically classified as platinum when applying for FIA license.

However, they still have to apply for such a license. Not all F1 drivers do this, and only six F1 drivers currently appear in the FIA ​​category list: verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Franco Colapinto, Nico Hulkenburg, Lando NorisAnd Lance walk,

Platinum licenses are also offered to drivers who are finished in the top five of the Tier 1 championship. Also Formula 1 includes WeC, Supercar, Formula 2, Formula E and Indycar. If a driver performs in a comparable level with other platinum drivers, they may also be given a platinum license.

What can do with a verstappen license?

In 2015, the FIA ​​introduced the current licensing system. This is mainly to create a level sports ground in the championship where many drivers are included in the teams, especially in endurance racing.

Whoever wants to participate in programs such as World Dheeraj Championships or IMSA Sportscar Championships such as Le Mans, 24 hours Detona, 24 -hour spa, or championship should have a license. The system is designed to prevent drivers of different skill levels separate from competition in the same category.

With an FIA license in hand vestepen, in principle, Le Mans can compete in events such as 24 hours. Vastapane has been open about being a goal for him, although the Boss Christian Horner of the Red Bull Team has been cooler on this idea.

While it was common for drivers to compete in F1 and Sportscar in the previous ages, more professionalism and calendar expansion have been tried in recent decades. In any case, Le Mans usually collides with Canadian Grand Prix – so it may have to wait until Verustapen calls time on his F1 career.

To compete in Nerburgering in 24 hours, Vastapane will have to undergo a separate process due to the special nature of this phenomenon, which also uses the Grand Prix Circuit with the legendary Nordeschelife. The orientation process includes classroom sessions, and drivers should participate in two Nerburgering Langstrakane-Serry (NLS) race-during which they should stay out of trouble for obtaining the required permits A for the race in the GT3 category.

Nurburgring does not confront 24 hours with Formula 1 this year, but does not have enough time to compete in two essential NLS events for Westpane, meaning that participation is unlikely. There is no exception to this rule – for example, Motogp Legend Valentino Rossi was also unable to race as he did not complete the process.

With FIA license, Vastapane can also participate in the largest GT3 race of the year: 24 hours spa. The GT World Challenge in the Europe and Endures Cup, including the race, is already involved through Vestappen.com racing, competing with Eston Martin Vantage GT3. Theory Vermulane, Chris Lulham and Harry King are already in the admission list, and also a ‘TBA’. However, it is likely that Vastapane refers to itself, very thin.

The team, which carries the number 33 of Max, is registered in the Gold Cup, which allows the lineup of most three gold-rated and a silver-rated driver. Since Verustapane holds a platinum license, it is automatically excluded until the team carries a category.

However, a Pro team is allowed only three drivers for a 24 -hour spa. In any case, this year faced the race with the Austrian Grand Prix.

Christian Horner, the boss of the Red Bull Team, recently said that he praises how emotional the Verustapen of Motorsport beyond F1. He emphasized that the Red Bull Bus would not be able to stop it if he wants to detect other racing undertakings – but everything has to be completely aligned.

Horner said, “It would be very difficult to take away from him.” “But of course, meditation is to stay on your main job … It is out of question for him to leave a race.”

Inauguration in autumn

In Spain, Helmut Marco, advisor to the Red Bull Driver, told the ORF: “First of all, I feel notable to classify the four -time world champion. But well, completely fair: If you want to make a max smile, start talking about GT racing.

“At the moment, the focus is clearly on Formula 1. We want to win this World Championship. But I think in the fall, opportunities will arise – and I think Max has already looked carefully. Surely, it will require our permission for it.”

Asked if Vastapane would allow this permission, Marco was uneven.

“Yes, that will happen. Finally, a GT car is relatively slow. I am only afraid that if he really joins a race, everyone will feel the need to prove themselves – and that they will make things unnecessarily difficult for maximum.”

Can Max run with Father Jose?

Max has previously expressed a desire to compete in the men’s man’s man’s as a former F1 driver with her father, Jose, as a former F1 driver, Jose Verustapane A platinum was entitled to license, but has since been downgorated to sleep.

This is because Jose was inactive in motorsport for more than five years, and on his return – being over 40 years of age – he received an FIA license, generally assigned to a category on the basis of the prescribed position in the FIA ​​Driver Classification Rules.

Jose has been very active in rally in recent years, but he never sees Le Mans soon. “I am important about it. I am very slow for him,” Jose said earlier this year. “That’s why I will rule it for now.”

If they ran together in le mans, it could potentially be in the top hypercar class. In WeC, only bronze-rated drivers are not allowed to drive those cars.

However, this category has been captured by the manufacturer (or align) entries, in which the driver line-up is usually fixed, so the possibility of the Verustapense that makes guest appearance in this environment is relatively thin.

In the LMP2 category – which is now active for Le Mans in WEC now – can enter two versterppens. The LMGT3 square is not an option, as that category requires at least one bronze-rated driver, either with another bronze or silver-rated driver.