How to Become an F1 Racer
To be successful in entering the world of F1 racing, you will need to start very early in life. Drivers who reach Formula One, the top tier of international motorsport, typically start almost as soon as they can walk. Acquiring the training and experience required to break into F1 takes years of effort, natural skill and lots of money. The series is Euro-centric so if you do not live in Europe, moving there will definitely help.
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Instructions
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Start go-karting at an early age. 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was a karting champion as a child. He is not alone in the history of Formula One. Karting helps build experience and skill.
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Decide which series you want to join. Many contemporary F1 drivers started with manufacturer series racing, such as Formula Ford or Formula Renault. These series are based in Europe.
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Apply for a Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) competition racing license. The FIA is motorsports' premiere sanctioning body, overseeing licenses for most racing series in the world. Other types of licenses exist if you want to go rallying, which is not covered under competition racing. There is a fee involved, and you must apply through the local drivers club of the locality in which you intend to race.
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Move from manufacturer series racing up to the GP2 or Formula 3 series. Several drivers on the 2010 F1 grid raced in the GP2 series, including Kamui Kobayashi, Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil and 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton. F1 teams looking to hire new talent often recruit GP2 drivers.
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Be willing to become a test driver for an F1 team. Not all drivers of an F1 team are on the grid at every race. Test drivers like Luca Badoer and Pedro de la Rosa have successfully transitioned from test driving to racing in F1 events. If you are patient and hone your skills, test driving can help get you into an F1 car.
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Tips & Warnings
As you move up through the series investors, may notice your talent and offer financial assistance. However, to get started on the path to becoming an F1 racer, you need money. Driving in manufacturer series will require you to pay for your seat, your license, your track time, your gear and a host of other expenses. If you are confident in your abilities, think of it as an investment in your future.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Two racing endurance karts image by Nicola Gavin from Fotolia.com
