2026-06-11
From Formula 1 Circuits to Palanga: Lithuanian with Top-Level FIA Licence to Serve as Clerk of the Course
In motorsport, the work of officials often remains behind the scenes, yet sometimes it is precisely their decisions that determine not only the course of a race, victory or defeat, but also multi-million expenses for teams. This year, such decisions at Formula 1 rounds are being made by Lithuanian Kipras Aleknavičius, who has received the highest-level FIA official’s licence – the Super Licence. And on 15–18 July, he will bring this experience to Palanga, where he will work at the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race.
The first and only Lithuanian to receive the FIA Super Licence
“At first glance, ‘Super Licence’ may sound pompous, but in essence it is the highest level of licence for FIA officials in the world. Such a licence is issued only to people working in the Formula 1 Championship,” says K. Aleknavičius, explaining that the FIA licensing system works somewhat differently from what is customary in Lithuania.
There is no gradual progression here from a lower category to a higher one – the level of FIA officials depends each year on the events to which they are assigned. The Super Licence is granted only to those who have been appointed to work at Formula 1 race weekends.
This year, K. Aleknavičius will work at two Formula 1 rounds – in Barcelona and in Spielberg, Austria. Kipras explains that if he were not appointed to work at Formula 1 races next year, his licence would be one level lower – platinum.
Although the Lithuanian’s schedule is full of events around the world, the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” weekend has remained fixed in his calendar for many years.
This year in Palanga, he will serve as Clerk of the Course. There is also reason to be proud that this choice is not simply a convenient coincidence in the calendar: last year, K. Aleknavičius turned down officiating duties at the FIA WRC round in Estonia because of the race taking place in Palanga, and this year he declined work at the European Rallycross Championship round in Ireland.
He says that the FIA representatives who delegate officials to events are already well aware of the endurance racing weekend held in Lithuania and understand that, for him, it is like home game.
He came to the FIA’s attention without even knowing it
Kipras’s path to the highest echelon of motorsport began unexpectedly even for him. Several years ago, he received a letter from the FIA informing him that he had been selected for the “High Performance” programme – a highly intensive training cycle intended for future top-level FIA stewards.
“At first I thought it was some kind of joke, especially because the letter was followed by a long silence. Then we received an invitation to come, and there were six of us from around the world. Our first, very natural question was: why are we here? Then we were told that the FIA had been observing us for three or four years,” K. Aleknavičius recalls.
He says that for some time he actively took part in FIA training sessions and seminars, and completed various tests on the online learning platform – on topics ranging from ethics to anti-doping and international sporting discipline. He did so not because he had to, but because he found it interesting.
Later, the Lithuanian entered regional steward training for rallying, passed the final exam with the highest mark and received a Distinction Level certificate. These steps led to the FIA “High Performance” programme and later to Formula 1.
Last year, K. Aleknavičius worked at WRC Portugal and at Formula 1 rounds in Barcelona and Monza. At that time, his status was “High Performance Programme Trainee” – he took part in the stewards’ processes but did not yet have decision-making authority. Even so, the experience was extremely intensive: at one event, he had to lead a hearing involving two F2 drivers after an incident. Moreover, both drivers involved were members of the same team.
“In Lithuania, situations like that almost never happen,” says K. Aleknavičius, mentioning that he received praise for how he handled the situation. “I tell them that here you may have about five hearings per event, while in Lithuania we can have as many as thirty. So I do have some experience under my belt.”
The Palanga race – an inseparable part of life and career
This year, K. Aleknavičius will be Clerk of the Course at the “Aurum 1006 km race”. For the past two years in Palanga, he worked as chief flag marshal – the person responsible for coordinating track marshal posts and the flow of the race through them.
The new role means broader responsibility: start procedures, drivers’ briefings, and the administrative and sporting aspects of track management. In other words, he will be responsible for ensuring that the largest motorsport event in the Baltic States runs smoothly and according to the highest standards.
The organisers of the “Aurum 1006 km race” do not hide their pride that Lithuanians who have proven their abilities at global level are working at the largest racing festival in Lithuania.
K. Aleknavičius’s role in the race is important not only symbolically. It means that experience from Formula 1, WRC and other FIA events is coming into Lithuanian motorsport; the officials working alongside him can gain knowledge and top-level practical experience, while the drivers can be confident that decisions will be made in accordance with international standards.