Most Formula 1 drivers started go-karting at a very young age, is 16 too late to start?
July 16th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
asher j asked:
someone told me that if i want to be an F1 driver, i should have started go-karting at like age 6, and not age 16.
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someone told me that if i want to be an F1 driver, i should have started go-karting at like age 6, and not age 16.
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Comment by Sean B on 19 July 2008:
If you want it, go for it. If you’re fast and skilled, it won’t matter.
Comment by caroline1409f1 on 20 July 2008:
If you’re good enough you might make it. I think the difference is that when they start young, people get to know them, their name, and their skill. Good luck – if it’s what you want to do you should go for it.
Comment by ka250 on 21 July 2008:
Most drivers in any top series(F1, NASCAR, Indy, Champ Car, etc.) start at an early age. However, I believe it was Scott Speed or Scott Sharp who won the Indy title several years ago actually started racing at 27! I guess he was just a natural, but at that age it would still be hard to convince people of your talent just because of your lack of experience. Good luck!
Comment by bullriderkid on 24 July 2008:
Both of my kids starting racing Quarter Midgets at age 5. My oldest who is 16 will start in the Legends series next Spring. Karts are the way to go for an F1 style of Motorsports but unfortunatley at 16 you have missed out on 10 years worth of experience. That being said that does not mean you can not ever race. Look at the legends series or the allison legacy series, SCCA or even Karts. Its never to late to be a racer
Comment by Aaron on 25 July 2008:
actually it doesn’t matter when you start go karts. It just makes your sucess in formula 1 later. Most people do start go karting around 6 or 7 though.
Comment by MC Hummer on 28 July 2008:
Japan’s Keiko Ihara didn’t start racing until she was 25 (after being a “race bunny”). She’s in the British F3 series now at age 32 (though she’ll never make it to F1 unless Super Aguri desperately want another Japanese driver).
Kimi Raikkonen drove only 20 races at lower Formulae before joining F1; most drivers spend five years or more.
Luc Alphand won the Dakar Rally last year (plus finishing top-10 at Le Mans) and he didn’t start racing until he was in his mid-30s, after his World Cup Skiing career (1997 World Champion) was over.
It’s a matter of talent, not age. But unless you advance quickly (and have deep pockets), chances are you won’t go far.
.
Comment by unknown on 30 July 2008:
No way go for it .
Comment by Fernanda on 1 August 2008:
I think so, at the age of 16 most of the formula one drivers are already in formula 3, michael schumahcer started karting when he was only 9. I hope I can be a formula one driver as well, I am younger than you, but I think it is already too late for me. but dont give up, you ll still be a good driver.
Comment by kartlink.com on 3 August 2008:
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t get there, apart from money, but that’s the same for everyone.
You should spend as long as you can in karting though, at least try to race at European or World standard. The temptation will be to go into car racing as soon as you are halfway competent but if you look at the most successful F1 drivers they tend to be the drivers who spent a long time in karting and then just a few years in cars.
Comment by josefiend2000 on 4 August 2008:
It is never too late, but I started racing go karts at 5 yrs old & I still have a day job.
Comment by pixelputa on 6 August 2008:
Most drivers start really early. F1 champ Fernando Alonso started aged 3 and won his first race at age 7. But some drivers do start later. Tiago Monteiro started racing in his early 20s when he visited a track. It just depends on your progress as a driver and how hard you work at it.