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Three time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton believes that it is now harder to enter F1 than it was when he was younger. The Briton was reflecting on his younger days in racing to French television programme Quotidien.
Hamilton says that the best races he's seen recently is the young drivers in karting: "The best races are from the young kids from like ten years old," Hamilton said. "That's really the best racing, better than Formula One, better than all the other categories. There's no fear in those kids."
However, the 32 year old stressed how difficult it currently is to reach the pinnacle of motorsport due to rising costs and the current level of competition.
"I think it's very difficult nowadays, there's so many great young kids coming though," he said. "To get to Formula One, it's more expensive now. Technology has advanced so much."
"Karting is more expensive - my dad mortgaged our house like three or four times to let me go karting. It's so expensive, that's the difficult thing about trying to get to Formula One - it's not as simple."
"For me, honestly, we came from nothing, we didn't have any money when we started racing. I think for me, I always had that hunger since I was a kid racing against wealthier families. That's really what drives me."
"You've got to have energy, you've got to have talent, you've got to have a lot of belief in yourself, I would say. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my family," he added. "And envy!"
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (3)
Login to replyHarryw
Posts: 107
Exactly. If we created a system where talent alone matters then imagine the quality racing! They should set up clubs in UK for example from 10 to 18 where carts are ready to go. Would that work?
bremgarten
Posts: 38
It’s a good idea but I don’t think it would work.
Major karting events, have qualifying races followed by the two main races, which decide the winner. Unlike F1 the parc-ferme regulations are different: hence the set-up of karts can be changed without penalty, more or less, at any time.
Modern racing karts are not only expensive they’re complex things when it comes to setting them up and as kids come in all weights and sizes it can be expensive to find a good team and/or mechanic to get the correct set-up for each track and the prevailing conditions.
Unfortunately, karting today is big business and for every driver that makes it to F1 there have been many kids who have had the talent but not the financial backing.
Hamilton is correct. It wasn’t exactly cheap in his day and his father worked hard and took financial risks based on his belief in his son‘s talents.
Harryw
Posts: 107
Some interesting points there. Perhaps f1 teams could fund teams or sponsor drivers from 10 to 18 perhaps? maybe FIA rules all teams must fund a system?