Getting to Formula 1 is not straightforward. It is not for nothing that the racing sequence is known as the premier class. Only 20 pilots have the alternative to indicate off in considered one of the most coveted cockpits. Drivers should cross a sequence of obstacles to get a spot right here. Most drivers in Formula 1’s junior class are often promoted provided that they belong to the youth program. Talent alone is not sufficient. Single-seater racing’s largest impediment? Financial devices.
If you will have quite a lot of expertise and some huge cash, you will have a great likelihood of driving in the top quality of motorsport, however there are not any ensures. What does the path to cash and expertise in the top quality appear like? Motorsport-Magazin.com opinions the present driver subject and the Formula 2 and Formula 3 minor courses.
Formula 2: Formula 1 springboard
Once drivers make it to Formula 2, they’re nonetheless one step away from making their Formula 1 debut. The finest prerequisite? Formula 2 champion. But in current years, this has not all the time been the case. The Formula 2 title doesn’t imply a Formula 1 cockpit at the identical time. It was then modified to the GP2 sequence.
Of the twelve GP2 champions, he finally entered the premier class, with solely Fabio Leimer and Davide Valsecchi refusing to make the soar. In 2017, GP2 was the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Here, apart from present champion Felipe Drugovic, all drivers have reached Formula 1. In 2023, two former winners will compete. Nick de Vries received Formula 2 in 2019, however will not be in the Formula 1 cockpit till 2023. However, the Dutchman led the race in 2022 as a reserve driver. Oscar Piastri will even enter the top quality in 2023, two years after his victory in Formula 2.
Whoever wins the Formula 1 championship has all the time received Formula 1. Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Charles Leclerc and George Russell had been all profitable. Oscar Piastri needed to take a yr off earlier than he was allowed to compete in the premier class.
But it would not all the time should be a reputation. Sergio Perez, Lando Norris, Guanyu Zhou, Yuki Tsunoda, Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant additionally entered Formula 1 with out Formula 2 or GP2 titles.
Formula 2 champions and their Formula 1 debut
| Year | GP2/F2 winner | Formula 1 debut |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Nico Rosberg | 2006 |
| 2006 | Lewis Hamilton | 2007 |
| 2007 | Tim Glock | 2004 |
| 2008 | Giorgio Pantano | 2004 |
| 2009 | Nico Hulkenberg | 2010 |
| 2010 | Pastor Maldonado | 2011 |
| 2011 | Romain Grosjean | 2009 |
| 2012 | David Valsecchi | – |
| 2013 | Fabio Leimer | – |
| 2014 | Jolon Palmer | 2016 |
| 2015 | Stoffel Vandoorne | 2016 |
| 2016 | Pierre Gasly | 2017 |
| 2017 | Charles Leclerc | 2018 |
| 2018 | George Russell | 2019 |
| 2019 | Nick de Vries | 2022 |
| 2020 | Mike Schumacher | 2021 |
| 2021 | Oscar Piastri | 2023 |
| 2022 | Felipe Drugovich | – |
Formula 3 to Formula 1: is it attainable?
Especially in the previous, Formula 3 performed an enormous function in the profession stage. The junior class has solely been held internationally as the FIA Formula 3 Championship since 2019. The racing sequence was created by combining the GP3 sequence and the Formula 3 European Championship. So far, Robert Schwartzman (2019), Oscar Piastri (2020), Dennis Hauger (2021) and Victor Martins (2022) have received the title right here.
However, the basic strategy to Formula 2 racing at the time was not for each driver. Timo Glock solely managed fifth place general in the 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series, however he made his premier class debut in 2004 as a reserve driver. However, the German completed solely 4 races and did not qualify for the following yr. He then competed in the GP2 sequence and received in 2007. A yr later, he competed once more in Formula 1.
The reigning world champion Max Verstappen additionally jumped one step on the profession ladder. In 2014, the Dutchman participated in the European Formula 3 Championship and took third place. During the season, he was accepted into the Red Bull assist program. In 2015, he received the cockpit at Toro Rosso. Unlike Glock, it has remained in Formula 1 ever since. Esteban Ocon (a brief detour by way of DTM), Valtteri Bottas and Lance Stroll additionally skipped Formula 2 or GP2 races earlier than their Formula 1 debuts.
Meanwhile, younger pilots cannot simply cross the ranges. The FIA’s award standards have come below public criticism as Verstappen obtained his tremendous license at the age of 16 and accomplished only one season in single-seater racing. Since 2016, each driver have to be 18 years of age and maintain a sound driver’s license when making use of for an excellent license. You additionally want no less than two years of components expertise and 40 tremendous license factors. The path by means of Formula 2 is nearly set.
Alternatives to Formula 2 and Formula 3
There are nearly no detours to Formula 1 immediately. Kevin Magnussen and Carlos Sainz got here by means of Renault’s Worldseries, however the sequence would not exist immediately. The profession stage in Formula 1 is clearly outlined by the FIA. In concept, it is also attainable to drive by America, GT or lengthy distance working. However, from a sensible standpoint, sports activities automotive drivers are often not in Formula 1. If the doorways of Formula 1 don’t open for younger drivers, they often discover a new residence in closed vehicles. The reverse path is extra theoretical in immediately’s world. It was regular. The most outstanding instance: Michael Schumacher.
Indycar in America is extra life like, but it surely has been a very long time since the driver crossed the massive pond – Formula 1 commercially yearns for an American driver. However, the tremendous license system makes switch troublesome. AlphaTauri really needed to place Colton Hertha in the automotive in 2023. He did not get sufficient tremendous license factors. Indycar is missed by the FIA factors system.