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What is the most logical (best) route to Formula 1?


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#1 LHamilton0810

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 18:30

With each driver taking a different route into Formula 1, is there actually a best or most logical route that will get drivers to F1 in the most effective manner possible with enough experience, maturity and speed? :)



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#2 Fastcake

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 18:34

Have a shed load of money. It makes no difference what route you take then.



#3 noikeee

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 19:02

I know you're new here so don't want to be rude, but it's unusual and weird to open up so many similar threads all with so many similar questions.

 

As for this actual question, I don't think there's an ideal route, depends on which series are strong and whose rules best prepare you at the moment, what are your available options, where can you go from after winning a certain championship or not, what's your budget, do any F1 teams express interest on you to put you in their junior schemes, etc.


Edited by noikeee, 19 March 2014 - 19:04.


#4 EthanM

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 19:11

Whatever your budget will stretch to ... the cheaper option is WSbR,, GP3+GP2 will need upwards of a 2 million budget and that's assuming one shot at it.

 

In reality though there is no "best way" it's all about getting noticed



#5 Amphicar

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 19:23

The "classic" route used to be karts then Formula Ford, then Formula 3, then if you were really good and got the breaks, straight into F1. Nowadays Formula Ford has fallen from favour against entry-level slicks & wings formulae but realistically you still need to start in karts before you turn 10 and get into a top class F3 team by your late teens. Money and momentum are critical.



#6 jonpollak

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 19:55

Bookends-Pumice Stone- West Germany.
Jp

#7 jonpollak

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 20:00

Damn Auto Correct.
I WAS gonna say....
ARCA-Mud Bog- Formula Ford- Figure8's

Or whatever.
Jp

#8 Peter Perfect

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 20:02

Have a shed load of money. It makes no difference what route you take then.

 

:up:

 

On the off chance that that particular avenue is closed to you I'd say get onto a young driver program run by one of the F1 teams if you can. It's no guarantee and you have to perform each and every year, but there seem to be a significant advantages such as technical/media training not open to the average driver. Of course it's one thing to target a place and another to get picked...



#9 Deerfield

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 20:30

I'd say kart > gp3 (or eurocup renault 2.0) > gp2 (or wsr 3.5). Money no object. The sheer power of the dollar could buy the best team, and the kid with a little talent could go a long way.



#10 Jamiednm

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Posted 19 March 2014 - 20:40

That guy who won £108m on Euromillions is gonna buy his way in to BTCC. As long as he can do a year of formula driving to get the necessary licence, he's a shoe-in. What a way to spend your new fortune.

#11 Jimisgod

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 03:52

That guy who won £108m on Euromillions is gonna buy his way in to BTCC. As long as he can do a year of formula driving to get the necessary licence, he's a shoe-in. What a way to spend your new fortune.

 

What a way to lose his fortune. He could get the same rush from club racing without hindering the professionals.



#12 DanardiF1

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 06:00

With each driver taking a different route into Formula 1, is there actually a best or most logical route that will get drivers to F1 in the most effective manner possible with enough experience, maturity and speed? :)

 

Win in whatever you're racing, have money to move up to somewhere better where you will also win.



#13 SpartanChas

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 06:05

What a way to lose his fortune. He could get the same rush from club racing without hindering the professionals.


He might turn out to be good though. I'd definitely give single sweater racing a shot if I had that sort of money.

#14 DanardiF1

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 06:10

As would I. I'd go and race in the BTCC with my Dad, just so I'd have someone to beat!



#15 Amphicar

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 08:04

He might turn out to be good though. I'd definitely give single sweater racing a shot if I had that sort of money.

If you had that sort of money surely you could afford more than one pullover?



#16 Boing 2

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 10:19

http://forums.autosp...o-f1/?p=6109841

 

Here's a list of how some of the recent drivers got to the grid.



#17 Maustinsj

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 10:23

Bookends-Pumice Stone- West Germany.
Jp

 

I think I prefer this entry method - the mind boggles  :eek:



#18 ExFlagMan

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 10:29

:up:
 
On the off chance that that particular avenue is closed to you I'd say get onto a young driver program run by one of the F1 teams if you can. It's no guarantee and you have to perform each and every year, but there seem to be a significant advantages such as technical/media training not open to the average driver. Of course it's one thing to target a place and another to get picked...

Problem is you still need the 'shed load' to get to the stage where you are noticed by those who run young driver program unless you are very, very lucky.

#19 Hans V

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 10:51

I'd say karts -> F-Renault 2.0 -> F-Renault 3.5 -> F1. Assumed one have the talent and backing, which 95% of the prospects won't have. 

 

F3 and especially GP2 are turning into expensive specialist-categories. I'm not sure what GP3 is good for, allthough GP3 series champion Kyvat takes on F1 like a duck to water. But I suspect he is rather special. Perhaps an entry level series before F-Renault 2.0, but I'd go for a slicks-and-wings-series over F-Ford, i.e.F-Renault 1.6 or F-BMW. F-Renault 3.5 gives the same level of performance as GP2, for half the price, and gives more driving (practice, two qualifying sessions, two races), less tyre-economy and not the ridiculous reverse-grid race as in GP2.  



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#20 BullHead

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 11:06

What a way to lose his fortune. He could get the same rush from club racing without hindering the professionals.


Ahem... Professionals. ..?

But seriously, I agree more could be got for less in the club racing he's already doing. But then with 108 mil, a couple of years at BTCC would be great fun in the limelight, and a reasonable job could be done with chucking just 5mil at it.

If it were me, I'd start a team, but to give opportunities to genuine new talent. Just lording it around the paddock as a 'hands off' team boss would suit me just fine. :)

Back on topic, it isn't totally necessary to do karting before cars, even formula cars,but a good idea.
Yeah, kart - F4 / Fford - F3 / WSR - GP3 - GP2 - F1.
Looking at the names coming through over the past years, GP 3 and GP2 especially seems to be the prime recruiting ground.

#21 charly0418

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 14:57

I'd say karts -> F-Renault 2.0 -> F-Renault 3.5 -> F1. Assumed one have the talent and backing, which 95% of the prospects won't have. 

 

F3 and especially GP2 are turning into expensive specialist-categories. I'm not sure what GP3 is good for, allthough GP3 series champion Kyvat takes on F1 like a duck to water. But I suspect he is rather special. Perhaps an entry level series before F-Renault 2.0, but I'd go for a slicks-and-wings-series over F-Ford, i.e.F-Renault 1.6 or F-BMW. F-Renault 3.5 gives the same level of performance as GP2, for half the price, and gives more driving (practice, two qualifying sessions, two races), less tyre-economy and not the ridiculous reverse-grid race as in GP2.  

 

jumping from karting straight to wsr 2.0 is insane, you need to do some other sing seater stuff before that


Edited by charly0418, 20 March 2014 - 14:58.


#22 DampMongoose

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 15:29

If you had that sort of money surely you could afford more than one pullover?

 

Pretty sure there was a Ferrari radio transmission where Felipe Massa was told about a pullover for Alonso. You could ask about borrowing that one?

 

 

Regarding the best or most logical route that will get drivers to F1 in the most effective manner possible, these days with the queues at most venues it's probably by Helicopter.  ;)


Edited by DampMongoose, 20 March 2014 - 15:31.


#23 DampMongoose

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 15:35

GT6, Kidnap Bill Gates for ransom, Lotus.



#24 l8apex

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Posted 20 March 2014 - 15:55

jumping from karting straight to wsr 2.0 is insane, you need to do some other sing seater stuff before that

 

Not really.  The top 125cc class karts aren't that much slower than a Renault 2.0 car around a race track.

 

Going from a kart to a Formula Ford is basically a step down in performance.


Edited by l8apex, 20 March 2014 - 17:18.