ASN Safety Bulletin #22 Grade 5 Circuit Licence

Dear ASNs,

The FIA World Motor Sport Council recently approved a new Grade 5 licence for entry-level circuits wishing to benefit from FIA expertise and guidance in motor racing circuit design and construction.

Even before the laying of its very first foundation stone, any new circuit intended to host competitions entered on the International Sporting Calendar is studied in detail by the FIA and its Circuits Commission using safety simulation and analysis software to carefully assess corner trajectories, run-off areas, and the impact-absorbing trackside barriers. 

FIA Circuit Inspectors follow the construction process until the final inspection, when a licence signed by the President of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is issued via the local ASN to the circuit before the first international competition takes place. 

FIA Circuit licence grades are defined according to the weight/power ratio of competing cars: FIA Grade 1 circuits are capable of hosting the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, while lower grades of circuits are suitable for other single seater categories, GTs, Touring Cars, and the World Rallycross Championship.

New, developing and existing circuits who wish to benefit from FIA expertise and guidance in circuit design and construction are encouraged to apply for the new Grade 5 “provisional” licence. This entry level licence can be used by local ASNs to encourage new circuits to be constructed in accordance with latest best practice contained within the FIA Circuit Guidelines under the watchful eye of a dedicated FIA Circuit Inspector familiar with the region. The FIA can also provide guidance to assist in minimising costs.

Existing circuits can also be considered for a Grade 5 licence, with the principal features and considerations including having sufficient run-off areas, appropriate safety barriers, kerbs, and protection for marshals and spectators along with the basic infrastructure needed to host a competition.

We strongly encourage ASNs to promote the new FIA Grade 5 circuit licence not only as an entry point to the international circuit licence pyramid, but also to achieve a general improvement in circuit safety at national level at the same time.

To apply for any FIA circuit licence please contact your local ASN [www.fia.com/members] who will forward your request to the FIA Safety Department. 

Further information on circuit safety can be found at: www.fia.com/circuit-safety

Social Media Post

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The FIA World Motor Sport Council recently approved a new Grade 5 licence for entry-level circuits wishing to benefit from FIA expertise and guidance in motor racing circuit design and construction.

FIA Circuit licence grades are defined according to the weight/power ratio of competing cars: FIA Grade 1 circuits are capable of hosting the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, while lower grades of circuits are suitable for other single seater categories, GTs, Touring Cars, and the World Rallycross Championship. 

New, developing and existing circuits who wish to benefit from FIA expertise and guidance in circuit design and construction are encouraged to apply for the new Grade 5 “provisional” licence. This entry level licence can be used by local ASNs to encourage new circuits to be constructed in accordance with latest best practice contained within the FIA Circuit Guidelines under the watchful eye of a dedicated FIA Circuit Inspector familiar with the region. The FIA can also provide guidance to assist in minimising costs.

Existing circuits can also be considered for a Grade 5 licence, with the principal features and considerations including having sufficient run-off areas, appropriate safety barriers, kerbs, and protection for marshals and spectators along with the basic infrastructure needed to host a competition.

#FIASafety #FIAVisionZero

Best regards,

FIA Safety Department

If you have any topics you would like us to cover in future bulletins please send your suggestions to the FIA Safety Department.

To read the other articles about the ASN Safety Bulletins, please visit the FIA website. You can also read by clicking here.