Investigating the untold journeys of F1 drivers

With over 20 competitive 'Formula' series currently open, Formula 1 remains on top. Many series share similar factors, unbelievably fast cars, top sponsors, and even similar/same tracks. It begs the question, what makes F1 so eye-catching? Short answer, 20 drivers.

20 drivers, that's the number of people who confidently say they are Formula 1 drivers. Comparing 20 to the hundreds of drivers in single-seater racing, to the thousands carting competitively, 20 drivers is an unimaginably small number.

Drivers come from all around the world, in F1 itself there are drivers from Japan, Australia, Austria, the United States, Mexico, Spain, etc. Yet, to achieve success in the Formula world, you have to be in England. Hence, many drivers move from their home countries to England at very young ages, often alone, to pursue their dream of reaching F1.

Australian driver Oscar Piastri says in an interview for Formula1.com, "Instead of looking at it as moving away from home and trying to chase the dream, it was more like, ‘ok, now I’m here, this is my life’. It became a bit more normal in some ways, and that’s kind of how I looked at it." Piastri never knew if his goal would ever work out, even after holding off the rest of his life. Treating moving like a step in his life allowed him to focus on performing while also allowing him the ability to be a kid. Piastri isn't the only one who moved at an early age. Sergio Perez, a current Red Bull driver also moved alone at the age of 15 and Esteban Ocon's family sold their house and moved into a trailer so he could get racing equipment. To achieve their many successes today, many of these drivers gave up everything.

Racing is both mentally and physically demanding, no amount of experience helps you confirm your seat, and you must perform at a high level every race. Many drivers are given one year to prove themselves, and sometimes even less. What of those who don't make it? in the same interview, Piastri says, “Winning F3, I kind of thought maybe the potential is there [to reach F1] but, still, there’s been a lot of people that have got to F2 and not made it. … ‘Especially in F2, I knew that … even if F2 wasn’t as successful, I’d be able to become a professional in motorsport somewhere.” 

Reaching F2 or F3 is not a small feat (22-30 drivers) but yet no future is guaranteed. Those who don't make it past must try to get into other professional series. The life of a professional athlete is unpredictable and, especially in motorsport, never guaranteed. In the eyes of us as viewers, we only see a few years of their career, not the work put in or their story. Those who leave early on, such as in recent years Antonio Giovinazzi, Roman Grosjean, and Daniil Kyvat, are forgotten quickly. It’s important to remember what’s at stake for them as drivers. Thanks for reading, see you next time!