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This is a bit of surprise as Vips previously did not have enough points to get a Super Licence. But a recent rule change may have allowed him to get one, but it may really stretch the wording of the rules (thread) /1 https://twitter.com/redbullracing/status/1326803740876214278
Normally the 300km requirement is for the Free Practice only Super Licence and not a full SL granted in normal circumstances. If you want to get a full SL you oddly don't need the 300km - see Naoki Yamamoto. /2
But... if you a renewing a lapsed SL (Gutierrez) you need the 300km of running. But if you you have 40 Super Licence points you do not.
But a few weeks ago the SL rules were changed... /3
But a few weeks ago the SL rules were changed... /3
Now under the new art 5.1.6 of the relevant FIA Appendix a driver can get a full SL with 30 points or more and 300km in a car.
Vips does not have 40 points so does not qualify for a full SL. However he has over 30 so could get one under 5.1.6 (d)
/4
Vips does not have 40 points so does not qualify for a full SL. However he has over 30 so could get one under 5.1.6 (d)
/4
However the new rule can only be enacted if the driver is judged by the FIA as unable to qualify while due to circumstances outside their control or reasons of force majeure. /5
Vips was due to compete in Super Formula ( @SUPER_FORMULA_E) this year, but did not do so due to travel restrictions in Japan. But that series changed the rules to accommodate drivers like Vips so the two worst scores are dropped. /6
Seems that Vips could have got to Japan to race in SF (which it seems that he could have done), but had he done so he still would not have qualified for SL points as there are four races left this season. But there is more... /7
SL points are calculated over a three year period. So Vips points from 17, 18 & 19 are the ones that count, he does not have enough. 2020. Had 2020 gone to schedule, Vips would still not have enough SL points at this point as Super Formula would still have races to go. /8
So was this really a case of force majeure? This also raises the question of - what about @yukitsunoda07? Well he can't get a SL under 5.1.6 as he has competed in F2 and looks likely to get the full 40 points to get a full SL. He has a FP only SL at the moment. /9
So in conclusion Vips seems to have got a SL because he was forced to miss the opening two races of Super Formula, even though he could have competed and won the championship. While other drivers who have more SL points cannot get a SL because they are racing in F2... /10
As I have said to @LeighOGorman many times in the pub - the Super Licence system needs a complete overhaul. /ends.
