Ever felt the need for speed while dodging traffic cones on your way to work or home? I guess everyone did this even just once. And did you love the feeling of speeding? Also, if you’re already a fan of Formula 1 (F1), you may be inspired by Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, or our new champion, Max Verstappen. So, come join me, and let’s make you a future F1 driver with this so-serious(!) guide (probably we won’t succeed, but anyway).

Most of the people who don’t watch or know anything about F1 say: “They are just sitting in there and driving a car. I can do that either”. But F1 needs commitment. Because F1 is one of the most competitive and one of the most difficult sports to join. I know that sounds harsh but when you look at how competitive F1 is, it makes sense. I mean, there are only 20 seats that can be filled with the ones who are lucky enough to call themselves F1 drivers. If you are serious enough about F1, you will have to stay on the asphalt and gain as much driving experience as possible. But this means spending less time with your family or having less time for yourself. So probably you are going to miss so many important days like birthdays etc.

Also, you need to consider the cost of becoming a F1 driver. Because in the beginning, you won’t have any sponsorships to pay for your kart, helmet, etc. And it gets much more expensive when you improve yourself more. That’s the one reason why some of the drivers never reach the F1 level, even if they are extremely talented. As an example, Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony worked multiple jobs to help fund Lewis’ racing career at a young age.

First Step: Karting

The first well-known step of F1 is karting. You cannot expect to jump in a F1 car, which costs millions of dollars directly. You need to gain experience to drive a real car. So the best way to do that is karting. With karting, you can learn the fundamentals of racing before moving on to more powerful vehicles. Many of the racers on the grid began their journey in karting. Also, while you are karting, you can consider trying a lot of different circuits, especially circuits in Europe.

Also, while you are karting, you may need to find a good mentor. It’s crucial to find a competent mentor because they can help you avoid mistakes that you might make if you don’t have enough expertise or knowledge of this sport.

Now you have developed your skills with karting, but it’s not over yet. You need a strong foundation of skills if you want to become a F1 driver in the future. Karting will help you get there. But once you move up to lower-level F1 races, you will have the opportunity to develop them even further. You have to stay focused and use every technique in your arsenal to stay safe because F1 is a dangerous sport.

Sweat (Not included)

The other thing is that you must be fit in mind and body to be able to withstand the G forces while you are driving a F1 car. Today’s F1 drivers are some of the best athletes in the world. Racing drivers have to be strong and resilient to be able to race while there is very strong G-force for them. On the other hand, in very hot races, the drivers may become very dehydrated. They also need strong arms and neck muscles to control the vehicle. For example they are wearing HANS (Head and Neck Support) while racing. And it weighs almost 35 kgs.(Picture that when you multiply it with G-force) Additionally, they are doing average 270-280 km/h, so they need to improve their hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

And the most important thing that drivers need to use and develop while racing is their brains. The brain will be running at a very high activity level from the lights of the final straight. Most drivers will enter a near meditative state before the race to focus better on having a perfect lap, and perfect start.

Smiling for Sponsors, Sweating for Seconds: A Driver’s Diary

And now, let’s check over a week of an F1 driver.

So let’s start with Thursday. The driver flies into the circuit and checks the car, attends some press conferences and joins some sponsor-press dinner.

On Friday, practice starts very early in the morning. The driver spends most of the time on the track practising and testing the car. And of course joins more press conferences. Then completes the first qualifying round, which decides the running order for next day’s qualifying session.

And Saturday is a very important day because of the qualifying sessions the positions of the drivers will become clear. Qualifying is like a three-course meal: Q1 (18 minutes) is the appetiser, Q2 (15 minutes) is the main course, and Q3 (12 minutes) is the sweet dessert of speed. The positions from 20th to 11th will choose with Q1 and Q2 and the top will choose with Q3.

Sunday is the race day AKA Grand Prix day. And this is by far the most important and busiest day of the week. After all, the drivers head to the grid after the formation lap, the race will start when the lights are off. According to the race results, championship points are awarded to teams and drivers like this;

1st – 25, 2nd – 18, 3rd – 15, 4th – 12, 5th – 10, 6th – 8, 7th – 6, 8th – 4, 9th – 2, 10th – 1

Also, there is an extra point to the driver and team with the fastest lap of the race as long as they finish in the top 10.

At last but not least, to race in F1, drivers need an FIA Super License. FIA Super License is like unlocking the VIP pass to the ultimate racing party. But it’s no walk in the park! You need to be at least 18 years old, hold an international competition licence, flash your regular driver’s licence, ace the FIA’s F1 rules test, survive 80% of two single-seater championship seasons, rack up 40 Super License Points over three years, and hit the licence score jackpot. It’s like the ultimate racing scavenger hunt.

After all these, now you may have a chance to join some F1 junior driver academies to become a real F1 driver, to have a seat in one of the F1 teams.

Tahir Furkan Sarıdiken

Sources:
PlanetF1 – How to become an F1 driver?

Reflexion – How to become an F1 driver?

Red Bull – How to become a professional Formula 1 driver?

Dummies – A week in the life of a Formula One Driver

Bleacherreport – Are F1 drivers considered athletes?

Formula1 – The beginners guide to Formula 1 weekend