Wanna be a F1 Driver.

united_1987

hey guys,

was allways my dream and ambition of becoming a f1 driver as many people. Wanted to know do u need any qualifications to be a f1 driver, eg physics cos of GForce n stuff, or do you just work your way up through go kart racing on to bigger cars until f1 cars. and also im 18 so is it too late to follow this ambition i have. i have no motor sport family background so will that make it the more harder??

(Sorry for such a random post.lol)

Cheerz!!!

Reply 1

Né Stig

15

You do need a qualification:

Its called a 'high speed license'. Button couldn't race for Williams without one! Passed first time thankfuly.

Geneal rule of thumb is going from Karts and getting noticed. Win a few kart races, go onto next stage and next stage etc. This all costs a lot of money though. Quite an elitest sport to some extent.

Reply 2

OMGWTF

1

Its an elitist sport. Shumacher's parents owned a kart circuit, hence, both brothers started out young and progressed well

You need to start young and have a lot of cash

Reply 3

gbduo

15

Your not too old to get into racing, but you are to get into F1 really. F1 demands absolute physical perfection, if you started now it will take you at least 10 years to get good enough (if you were also talented) to be in F1, by that time you will be a 28...in F1 you are an old man by then!

You could study auto engineering at uni and be a F1 engineer, cool job! you do get rides and trips in F1 and all kind of exotic cars then!

Graham

Reply 4

snmichaels

1

Speaking of old men and racing, there's this long time famous top fuel drag racer that had to retire a couple of years ago. Not because he was slow or losing his touch. But because his retinas were becoming detatched in his eyes from the g-force experienced when the parachute is deployed during deceleration. The throw out the chutes at about 330mph and slam on MASSIVE carbon ceramic disc brakes to try and stop them in time. In fact, the only use the carbon ceramic brakes ONCE, and throw them away after that. :eek:

Just a little fun fact. :biggrin:

Reply 5

simeon

13

walshie

Its called a 'high speed license'.

You mean Super Licence.

From the FIA FAQ's...

In order to be able to take part in a Grand Prix, a driver must hold a "Super Licence", which is awarded on the basis of his past record in junior formulae and of his having a valid contract with a Formula One team which has entered the World Championship

Reply 6

President_Ben

15

snmichaels

Speaking of old men and racing, there's this long time famous top fuel drag racer that had to retire a couple of years ago. Not because he was slow or losing his touch. But because his retinas were becoming detatched in his eyes from the g-force experienced when the parachute is deployed during deceleration. The throw out the chutes at about 330mph and slam on MASSIVE carbon ceramic disc brakes to try and stop them in time. In fact, the only use the carbon ceramic brakes ONCE, and throw them away after that. :eek:

Just a little fun fact. :biggrin:

Suggests to me that they should make the tracks longer...

Reply 7

snmichaels

1

Not only that, but the less time these things spend at 300mph the better. They've also got to consider the slower cars. The gravel stops at the end still have to be within a good distance for the 100-150 mph trap speed cars too.

Reply 8

Né Stig

15

simeon

You mean Super Licence.

From the FIA FAQ's...

Well done. Words are used interchangeably. I used to be a member of McLaren with many brochures :smile:

Reply 9

rhythm_bandit

11

Why do you have to be young, just to push down on a pedal?

Reply 10

ZanyZanny

1

OMGWTF

Its an elitist sport. Shumacher's parents owned a kart circuit, hence, both brothers started out young and progressed well

You need to start young and have a lot of cash

no schumacher actually came from quite a poor background his parents did not own a cart circuit they worked at one which is quite a difference if you read his bio on the internet you can see F1 is not that elitist most F1 drivers parents are not that rich and sacrifice a lot so that there children could have a go (apart from nico rosberg in current f1)
but most start driving very youg alonso schumi were in carts at about 4

Reply 11

OMGWTF

1

Ok, whoops. I think they own one now. Brundell was definately going on about them and their kart circuit

Reply 12

DoktaUH

11

united_1987

hey guys,

was allways my dream and ambition of becoming a f1 driver as many people. Wanted to know do u need any qualifications to be a f1 driver, eg physics cos of GForce n stuff, or do you just work your way up through go kart racing on to bigger cars until f1 cars. and also im 18 so is it too late to follow this ambition i have. i have no motor sport family background so will that make it the more harder??

(Sorry for such a random post.lol)

Cheerz!!!

No qualifications, just the Super Licence (as said by someone before). Tbh at 18 your too old to get into F1 as a driver, try something more attainable like BTCC.

Reply 13

black_mamba

14

ant1337

Why do you have to be young, just to push down on a pedal?

Yeah! I guess that the F1 guys take quite a physical battering, so young is better than old (fitness wise).

Why not just buy a cheap car and grab a few mates, go banger racing instead? :wink: