How to become a Formula 1 driver?

Anyone dreaming of competing in Formula 1 should know one thing: math is against him. More than 7 billion people live on Earth, and only 20 participate in competitions. Even without taking any action, we see that the chances of a career as a Formula 1 driver are slim.

However, in spite of everything, they are still there.

Are you dreaming of Formula 1? Or maybe your child follows with enthusiasm every race of the kings of motor sports? In both situations, the same question remains: how to join the ranks of the elite?

This is what we will cover in today's article. Read and you will find out the answer.

Professional F1 driving - what to do?

You have a dream, but no experience. What steps do you need to take and which path to follow in order to be on the Formula 1 track as a driver?

There are several conditions that increase the likelihood of your success. We will write more about each of them below.

Formula 1 driver starts in his youth

Unfortunately, we have no good news for you from the start. Unless you start your adventure racing at a young age, each new year of life on the back of your head significantly reduces the (already low) chances of a career in Formula 1.

Most professional drivers report that they watched races as children and that the drivers were their idols.

Therefore, it would be better if the passion for racing manifested itself at a young age. How young? Well, in many cases the best Formula 1 drivers started before they were 10 years old.

Of course, this is not a requirement for iron, because there were riders who started much later. One example is Damon Hill. Only at the age of 21 did he start in the first motorcycle races, and his first professional race in a Formula 1 car was at 32 years old.

Unfortunately, today it will be much more difficult to repeat this feat.

So if you have a kid who is into cars and racing, act as early as possible. Take them for a kart test drive and see if rallies are right for them.

You can read more about maps below.

Karting, the first adventure with racing

In Poland you will find many more or less professional go-kart tracks. While many people don't take these mini-balls seriously, the truth is that they are the best way to learn to race. Many kart tracks perfectly reproduce professional routes, thanks to which you can easily get into the rally.

Be aware that most of the best Formula 1 drivers (if not all) started out in karting.

The tracks usually have regional clubs with young riders. This is the best place to start your karting adventure. On the one hand, you will meet many experienced professionals who will happily tell you “what and how”. On the other hand, you can take part in special competitions and mini-Grand Prix.

Amateurs will not find a better way to gain experience for more serious tournaments.

Good results attract sponsors

From this point on, your skills become very important. If you are not very successful in karting, be prepared for the fact that it will be much more difficult.

Dlaczego?

Because starting in more serious competitions is expensive, and success attracts sponsors. If you are good at starting your rally adventure, chances are you will make it to a professional kart team. This is where sponsors come into the arena to fund the start of the teams.

There are also observers from different teams who compete in higher categories. They catch the best riders and take them under their wing, that is, they include them in their youth programs.

If you hit them, you can count on professional support on your way to the Formula 1 track.

Start on the Formula track

Wondering what all these sponsors and teams are for? The answer is very simple: it's about money.

If you don't have 400 3 to sell. pounds (about the same as a single season), starting at the next career level – in Formula Renault or Formula XNUMX – will not be possible. As you can see, this is an expensive pleasure, but you can’t do without it. Therefore, less wealthy drivers need a sponsor.

If you succeed in Formula 3, you will move to Formula 2, and from there very close to Formula 1. However (as you will soon see) "very close" is still quite a long distance on this career path.

A distance that can only be shortened by a smile of fate.

A stroke of luck

Since there are very few seats at royal rallies, the new driver will only be able to occupy them if one of the current owners vacates their car. And a team rarely gets rid of an experienced rider alone. After all, no one in their right mind would trade an experienced rally driver for a beginner.

Moreover, even players on the Formula 1 tracks often have problems finding a place for the next season.

For many newcomers, small teams in which big players coach future players are an opportunity. Ferrari has Alfa Romeo and Red Bull has Toro Rosso. They check to see if any of the candidates are suitable for the main team.

A beginner in becoming a Formula 1 driver can be helped by a good manager and experience in the media. This is just as important as a wealthy sponsor. The right agent knows the industry and, of course, can pull a few strings so that his charge is in the right place (for example, in the test pilot's car) and at the right time (for example, when another pilot changes teams or leaves).

How much does a Formula 1 driver earn?

Now you are probably thinking that with such a high entry threshold into Formula 1, the returns should be staggering. Well, yes and no. What does it mean? In fact, only a handful of the best drivers can expect huge earnings.

Formula 1 is often ruthless towards the players at the end of the game.

When someone like Michael Schumacher makes up to $ 50 million a season, others have to pay extra for the business.

“How so? They run Formula 1 and don't make money? " - you ask.

Exactly. At least not for competition. This is confirmed by the fact that at one time one of the teams (Campos Meta) announced that it would gladly accept the talented driver for “only” 5 million euros.

As you can see, even in top-tier competitions, sponsors are critical to a competitor's participation in the race.

How to become a Formula 1 racer? Summary

Driving professionally in Formula 1 and a career in the sector is by no means an easy task. Today it is even more difficult than it used to be.

Teams used to run more tests, so young riders automatically got more opportunities to demonstrate their skills. Nowadays, the best teams rarely change, and participating in weaker teams often requires a huge financial base.

Is this still your dream? Then you better understand now that it won't be easy. This doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

But if you want to see what it feels like when you sit at the wheel of a Formula 1 car ...

Know that there are shortcuts.

Labels: Driving an F1 car like an attraction

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