2006-11-05 12:05:12 · 9 answers · asked by lpl_luke 2 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing
That's one of the toughest gigs to land in all of racing but if you're serious you need to start at the bottom. That would be Go-Cart racing...yes, I am serious! They have its of classes and it's here most get their start in open wheel racing.
IF you're good and the right eyes spy you then you MIGHT get invited to test for one of the open wheel teams that run in various 'feeder' series such as the Mazda Star Series. Better win some races and probably a championship because the next stop (if you're REALLY lucky) is IRL or CART. Lots of guys race their entire careers there and never even get the privilege to talk to even a back running F1 team so you might consider selling your soul at this point if success is really that important.
OK, I guess your fingers still dripping where you signed in blood so I'll give you the last and probably harshest bit of news. Even if you get to F1 it's most likely you'll start for one of the small teams, you know, the ones whose names you likely don't even know like Menardi or Saulver. Yup, even F1 has it's feeder teams and it's here you must shine your brightest all the while driving equipment which is, well, not substandard but old, the cast offs and outdated equipment from teams like McClairen, Williams and Big Red. Expect a lot of heartache as you'll know that in each and every race you have an almost infinitesimal chance of even finishing in the points and absolutly zero of winning.
Oh, I almost forgot the most important part...MONEY! Most of the smaller teams where you get your start require a driver buy in, or in other words big bucks for the chance to get behind the wheel and the last I heard it was about a cool $1,000,000 to get a seat at even the lowest level. Why do you think it's only rich Europeans behind the wheels? Old family money for spoiled rich kids to 'compete' for the families honor.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but facts are facts and I certainly don't make the rules. My best advice to you if you TRUELY want to be a race car driver is to start in Go-Carts or entry levels of any of the dirt racing series and make a name for yourself. Even if you don't get to the top you'll have a blast and make memories which will last a life time. So here's to living the dream. Best of luck to you, and I really mean it.
2006-11-05 12:35:56 · answer #1 · answered by Sphinx 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It would be beneficial if you had a karting background but you should stuff your wallet with a lot of money or get a sponsor who will spend plenty of cash, and head for England where many of the circuits have racing schools. Enroll in one and learn the basics of driving a race car. From there you can usually buy a ride with a Formula Ford team, then a Formula 2000 or Formula Renault outfit. It will probably have cost you at least $50,000, maybe more, by now.
At this stage it will be obvious whether or not you have talent, and if you do, and if you still have lots and lots of money, a British or European Formula Three team will put you in a car and you might even advance to GP2 and, at the same time snag a job as a test driver with an F1 team. If you've won a championship along the way (F3 or GP2), the FIA will probably grant you a Super License and if you still have lots of money or a corporation willing to sponsor you, you might become an F1 driver. Of course if you are an exceptional driver by now, the F1 teams will come knocking on your door
There are other ways of becoming an F1 driver but this is the route many take.
Remember, there are only 22 F1 drivers (24 in 2008) and a handful of test drivers, so your chances of making it all the way aren't great. Still, you can dream.
By the way, contrary to what someone else (one obviously ignorant of F1) has suggested, the term 'elitist snob' certainly doesn't apply to many of the Formula One drivers I've known and that would include Jackie Stewart, Gerhard Berger, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle, Jean Alesi, Eddie Irvine, Martin Donnelly, Rubens Barrichello, Alessandro Zanardi ...
2006-11-05 16:06:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're old enough to ask, it's probably too late. With the exception of Damon Hill (who started by racing motorbikes) most of the modern drivers were racing karts before the age of 8.
2006-11-06 21:45:59 · answer #3 · answered by rosbif 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start in kart , Montoya was an example
2006-11-08 04:05:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
become an elitist snob, but don't worry about having talent, the cars have cheat boxes(traction control), so a trained monkey can drive them. if however, you acually have the talent to drive a race car, try NASCAR
2006-11-06 12:32:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
u need 2 bcom prfsnal kart racer, thn u need 2 join formula ford, formula renault, A1GP, GP2 etc thn ur gd luk is vry gd..u wl b chosen by F1 team...gd luk
2006-11-07 22:08:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Win a lot of other races
2006-11-05 12:06:52 · answer #7 · answered by Pauline 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Start with Karts then it's up to you.You will need lots of money.
2006-11-05 12:18:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to have a car and lots of money
2006-11-05 12:07:43 · answer #9 · answered by conan_0565 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋