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FIA Drivers Categorisation

The FIA Drivers’ Categorisation is a system created by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile that lists drivers on the basis of their achievements, performances, and age. This categorization is used in sports car racing championships as FIA World Endurance Championship, United SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series. It was merged from the FIA WEC and FIA GT3 lists. The initial categorization is based on the driver’s age and his career record.

FIA Drivers Categorisation Platinum

The highest categorization in the FIA Drivers categorization is the Platinum level. The Platinum level is granted to all the professional drivers that meet at least two of the following requirements:

  • Has an FIA Super License;
  • Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in either LMP 1 or LMGTE Pro;
  • FIA World Endurance Championship winner in either LMP 1 or LMGTE Pro;
  • Works driver (paid by the car manufacturer with results to match his status);
  • Top 5 finisher in F3000, CART, Champar, IndyCar or GP2 series;
  • Top 3 finisher in Formula 3, Formula 2, World Series by Nissan or Formula Renault 3,5;
  • Winner of the Supercars Championship;
  • Winner of the Porsche Supercup;
  • Winner of the American Le Mans Series (LMP1 or GT Pro only);
  • The driver has a maximum age of 49 years;
  • Drivers whose performances and achievements that are not covered by one of the definitions above can be appointed by the FIA as a Platinum driver;

FIA Drivers Categorisation Gold

The second highest categorization in the FIA Drivers categorization is the Gold level. The Gold level is granted to all the professional drivers that meet one of the following requirements:

  • The driver meets one of the Platinum criteria;
  • Top 3 finisher in A1 Grand Prix, GP3, Formula 3, Formula Renault V6 Eurocup, Superleague Formula, Formula Renault 2.0, Firestone Indy Lights;
  • The driver has three podium finishes in one season of Formula 2, GP2, Formula 3;
  • Winner of a regional or national single-seater series;
  • Top 3 finisher in one season of the Porsche Supercup, DTM, Super GT, V8 Supercars;
  • Winner of a major national Porsche Carrera;
  • Winner of a major GT series (GT 4 not included);
  • Winner of the Intercontinational Le Mans Cup, European Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series with drivers of the same or lower driver categorization. (LMP3 not included);
  • The driver competed in any major International Series with multiple race wins, podiums and pole positions;
  • The driver was able to meet the average Gold lap times consistently during testing while being categorized Silver;
  • Drivers whose performances and achievements that are not covered by one of the definitions above can be appointed by the FIA as a Gold driver;
  • The driver meets two of the requirements of Platinum but is aged over 50 years old;

FIA Drivers Categorisation Silver

The highest amateur categorization in the FIA Drivers categorization is the Silver level. The Silver level is granted to all amateur drivers that meet one of the following requirements:

  • The driver is aged under 30 and does not meet any Platinum or Gold criteria;
  • The driver won a full season of any regional or major national championship;
  • The driver has won a World Endurance Championship race;
  • The driver has won a non-professional series either national or international organized by a Manufacturer. (Like the Porsche GT3, Lamborghini Supertrophy, etc.);
  • The driver has competed in high-level international karting competitions;
  • The driver was able to meet the average Silver lap times during testing while being categorized Bronze;
  • The driver works as a racing trainer, coach or instructor;
  • Drivers whose performances and achievements that are not covered by one of the definitions above can be appointed by the FIA as a Silver driver;
  • The driver meets two of the requirements of Platinum but is aged over 55 years old;
  • The driver meets the requirements of Gold but is aged over 50 years old;

FIA Drivers Categorisation Bronze

The lowest categorization in the FIA Drivers categorization is the Bronze level. The Bronze level is granted to all amateur drivers that meet one of the following requirements:

  • The driver was 30 years old or older when his or her first racing license was issued and has little or no single-seater experience;
  • The driver is aged above 30 and has been categorized as Silver but didn’t meet the Silver requirements the three years;
  • The driver is aged under 30 years old when his racing license was issued and didn’t compete in any karting or racing competition that would qualify for Silver;
  • The driver meets two of the requirements of Gold but is aged over 55 years old;
  • The driver meets the requirements of Silver but is aged over 50 years old;

Other rules

Besides the above-fixed rules, the FIA also has the following rules about the FIA Driver Categorizations:

  • The driver cannot be promoted or downgraded during the season;
  • Any driver that is paid by the factory cannot be categorized lower than Gold;
  • Any driver above the age of 60 cannot be categorized higher than Bronze;
  • Any driver that has been downgraded within 3 years before his 50th, 55th and 60th birthday will not be downgraded in the year of his birthday
  • Any driver that has been out of racing for 10 years or more will be categorized one level lower than his qualifications;
  • Any driver that is aged above 50 and has been out of racing for 5 years or more will be categorized one level lower than his qualifications;
  • Any result older then 10 years doesn’t count towards any qualification;
  • Any downgrade because of age cannot be upgraded again;
  • The FIA is allowed to promote or downgrade any driver at his discretion;