How to Drive on a Formula One Raceway

Formula One racing is considered the ultimate in auto racing, requiring exception skill, endurance and instinct. While the cost of most Formula One vehicles greatly reduces the ability of an average driver to participate in a Grand Prix, there are still ways for you to drive on a Formula One raceway.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Valid driver's license
• Completion of a Formula One driving course

Drive on a Formula One Raceway

1. Be in decent physical shape before you get behind the wheel of a Formula One car and drive it on a raceway. Formula One racecars accelerate so quickly that the g-forces can cause a person in poor physical shape to lose control of the vehicle. In addition, you should be free of back, neck and heart problems, and you shouldn't be pregnant.
2. Drive on a Formula One raceway by attending one of the many single-day courses in which you are taught racing basics and then are allowed to take a couple of laps at the end of the day. Contact a Formula One Raceway in your area to see whether it offers such a program.
3. Log on to chat rooms or discussion forums for Formula One racing enthusiasts. You will be able to learn more about which racetracks allow amateurs to drive on their raceways and which driving schools are the most instructive and thorough.
4. Choose a Formula One racing school that will teach you many of the driving skills, such as heel-to-toe driving, that will help to improve your ability to navigate your Formula One race car through the curves. A good Formula One racing school should teach you basic driving skills that will help you both on and off the raceway.
5. Use online resources to locate such Formula One racing schools as LastMinute.com or Jim Russell Racing Schools (see Resources below). Most of these racing schools can only reserve a limited amount of time on Formula One raceways, and reservations fill quickly. You will need to plan well in advance in order to attend.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're a little too nervous to get behind the wheel of a Formula One car and take it for a few laps, there are many driving schools that will allow you to ride as a passenger in a specially modified, two-person racecar.