The FIA have updated drivers on their plans for the driver ranking process for the 2021 season taking into account the very different circumstances presented by the pandemic-impacted 2020 season.
Replacing the regular system where every driver that applies for a ranking is formally assessed, the process for 2020 switches instead to a process where a number of exceptions will apply to a general assumption of rankings remaining unchanged for the year to come due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on motor sport this year.
No adjustments will be made to a driver’s categorisation for the year 2021, apart from for the following list of exceptions:
Drivers entitled to an automatic downgrade due to age;
Drivers appointed as Factory drivers;
Drivers who have won a Championship / Series listed in the FIA Driver Categorisation Regulations;
Drivers who finished in the top three in the general classification of the FIA F3 and FIA F2 Championships in 2020, or who claimed three or more podium finishes during the season;
Bronze drivers under 30 in their first year of competition, who have competed in more than two events during 2020;
Drivers who request a review of their categorisation for other reasons than the 2020 shutdown and who submit their application by 15 September 2020;
Drivers who have taken part in any series whose season spanned the 2019-2020 calendar years.
The categorisations of drivers who are eligible for one or more of the listed exceptions will be reviewed by the Annual Categorisation Committee.
The lack of racing due to the shutdown period in 2020 will not be considered as a valid reason for requesting a downgrade.
Any re-categorisation will be published before or during the first week of December, and not by 15 November, as stated in the Regulations, the delay taking into account the deferred are calendar this year.
The closing date for Annual Revision requests remains the same: 15 September 2020.
