The FIA Driver Categorisation is a rating system created by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to classify racing drivers based on their age, skill, and track experience.[1] It is used in sportscar racing series such as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Overview
Driver lineups in racing series that use the system are restricted with these categories to ensure competitive races.[2] Occasionally, they are also used for safety; in the FIA WEC, bronze drivers are prohibited from participating in the fastest class, Le Mans Hypercar.[3]
History
Prior to 2015, driver classification systems varied across major racing organizations, including IMSA, WEC, and the FIA GT3 series. Each series maintained its own set of criteria and rating standards, leading to discrepancies when drivers competed across multiple championships. This often resulted in the same driver receiving different ratings depending on the series. To address these issues, the FIA implemented the current driver categorization system in 2015, aligning classification regulations across all FIA-sanctioned series.[4] The regulations remained primarily unchanged until the 2023 season where FIA altered regulations, resulting in many silver drivers being promoted to gold.[5][6]
Categories
There are four categories that drivers can be placed into: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.[7] Drivers receive an initial rating determined by their age and experience, but it can improve when drivers meet certain requirements laid out by the FIA.[8]
Bronze
Drivers are only assigned a bronze rating if they obtain their license for the first time at the age of thirty or older. This classification is usually reserved for gentleman drivers.[9]
Silver
All drivers beginning their career before age thirty are placed in the silver category.[9]
Gold
Drivers can be classified as gold-rated once they have achieved a win in a tier 3 series (FIA Formula 3 Championship, NASCAR Cup Series, Super GT, etc.) or placed top three in a tier 2 series (a National Touring Car Championship, National LMP3 Championship, National SRO GT4 Series, etc.).[9]
Platinum
There are only four ways to achieve a platinum rating. Three of these involve season results in FIA championships, such as Formula 2 and Formula E. The fourth way a driver can become platinum is to win a major endurance race, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[9]
Controversy
The categorisation system has faced scrutiny since its commencement in 2015. While designed to keep competition fair, there have been instances where drivers dominate the category into which they are placed.[10] This has led to the creation of the term "Super Silver", used to describe skilled drivers who are still rated silver by the FIA due to technicalities in the regulations.[11]
References
- ^ Smith, Steven Cole (16 October 2018). "FIA driver ratings: What's the difference between Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze?". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Dagys, John (4 October 2023). "Multiple Changes in 2024 FIA Driver Ratings – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Drivers' categorization and composition of driver line-ups". www.fiawec.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Schrader, Stef (23 January 2015). "Why Everyone Is Freaking Out About Driver Rankings: An Explainer". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on 29 November 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Goodwin, Graham (29 July 2022). "Sweeping Changes To FIA Driver Categorisation System Coming For 2023". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (29 July 2022). "FIA Ratifies SRO-Led Driver Ratings Overhaul – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ Lerner, Preston (17 August 2019). "The Problem With Driver Ratings". roadandtrack.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Goodwin, Graham (9 October 2024). "FIA Releases Provisional Driver Categorisation List For 2025". www.dailysportscar.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
The initial categorisation is based on the driver's age and career record and is subject to change in subsequent seasons according to the recorded race pace and results of the series that are using the categorisation system.
- ^ a b c d "Driver Categorisation Regulations 2025" (PDF). FIA. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ Hardy, Ed (10 April 2025). "Why the FIA driver grading debate dominated the British GT 2025 opener". Autosport. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "Provisional 2017 FIA Driver Ratings are out, as is the consternation". NBC Sports. 21 November 2016. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
As usual, there's a few questionable examples of drivers who are ranked as Silver - unofficially called "Super Silver" - whereby their line of results and/or age qualifies them for an amateur rating despite the fact they're either a young pro unproven in sports car racing or an old pro who's 55 years of age or older.
