From Karting to F1: The Pathway Explained
From Karting to F1: The Pathway Explained
How does a kid in a kart reach Formula 1? Here is the FIA ladder — F4, Formula Regional, F3, F2 — and the Super Licence at the top.
Every Formula 1 driver started in a kart. The route from there to the grid is now a defined ladder: the FIA Global Pathway. Here is how a young racer climbs from karting through the junior single-seater categories to F1.
1. Karting foundation
Where it all begins.
Karting builds the core racecraft every driver needs. In the FIA’s pathway it is the foundation stage before drivers move to cars — see getting started in karting.
2. Into single-seaters
Formula 4 at 15.
The first car step is Formula 4, open to drivers from age 15, with cars of around 180 horsepower — the entry to single-seater racing in the FIA Global Pathway (created in 2014).1
3. The ladder up
F4 → FRegional → F3 → F2.
From F4, drivers progress through Formula Regional (~270 bhp), FIA Formula 3 (~380 bhp) and FIA Formula 2 — each faster and more competitive, run alongside F1 weekends.1
4. The Super Licence
The final gate.
To race in F1 a driver must earn an FIA Super Licence — accumulating 40 points over up to three seasons in the junior categories.1 It is a long, demanding climb — the route taken by drivers like Yuki Tsunoda.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from karting to F1?
Via the FIA Global Pathway: karting, then Formula 4 (from age 15), Formula Regional, FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2, before F1.
What is the Super Licence?
The licence required to race in F1, earned by accumulating 40 points over up to three seasons in junior categories.
How old must you be for Formula 4?
At least 15 — it is the first single-seater step.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, systems and culture behind Japanese sport.
Sources & notes
- FIA Global Pathway (2014, F4): karting → F4 (age 15, ~180bhp) → FRegional (~270bhp) → F3 (~380bhp) → F2 → F1; Super Licence 40 points. FIA Global Pathway (Wikipedia). General information.
A guide dated 22 June 2026. No copyrighted material is reproduced. General information.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月23日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月23日
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