Why do you need to be rich to become a formula 1 driver?

motorsports expensive, , if born natural talent, still face fact need hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of actual competive seat time in racecar develop skills must second nature pro.

start @ age 6 or 7 , spend next 7 years karting, spending $5-10 each year. move on low level open wheel series next 2 years, spending $20k each of years (plus $20k car , other equipment, , $5k on time pro coaching). move level: $50k car after adjusting money made selling old one, , annual budget of $100-200k. you're 18 years old, you've spent on $500k... if you've been winning lots of races , few championships, you're in enviable position offsetting huge chunk of costs... means step next level, you'll spending $500k-1 million each year next 4 years.

now, @ point, may $3-4 million out of own pocket, on verge of breaking f1. that, need have great track record, in test, and... important, able provide $15-30 million dollars year in funding team join.

why need rich.even if able sponsorship provide level of funding @ f1 level, still have had spend millions of dollars reach point.

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