How you can drive an F1 car on a race track and how much it costs - Times of India (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to drive an F1 car? ›

On an average, an F1 experience in any of the tracks would cost roughly around USD 4160.

What is the cost of an F1 car? The exact cost of an F1 car is tricky to confirm, but they come to a sum of approximately $15 million USD (€15.8 million) each, according to Red Bull. For the 2024 season, teams are allowed to spend a maximum of $135 million (€128m) on materials and activities related to car performance.

There is a basic registration fee of €10,400 (£9,148 / $11,047) per driver, plus an extra €2,100 (£1,847 / $2,230) per point from the previous season. This means Max Verstappen is faced with a staggering bill of more than $1m just to enter the 2023 season.

Depending on the specifics of each case, the racing series selected, and the amount of support obtained, there are differences in the overall cost of becoming an F1 driver. The entire cost, according to estimates, could be anywhere between $5 million and $10 million, from Formula One to karting.

You may be surprised to learn that Formula One cars can reach remarkable speeds. The peak speed of an F1 race cars is around 233 mph, but this top speed is only achieved on long straight line runs by the fastest cars. On a typical circuit, these cars can reach an average speed of up to 200 mph.

Formula 1 drivers don't get prize money for winning, though they'll likely receive a nice financial bonus on top of the base salary they're paid by their team. Prize money is awarded to F1 teams. Of course, success can also potentially create further endorsem*nt and sponsorship opportunities.

Pit crews get plenty of attention for their synchronized efficiency, which raises the question of how much Formula 1 pit crew and mechanics get paid. Estimates for pit crew and mechanic salaries range from $30,000 for a person who stands by with a fire extinguisher in hand to $1,000,000 for an F1 pit crew chief.

Who is the richest F1 driver? ›

Who is the richest F1 driver? For all of Max Verstappen's earnings, the 2023 F1 championship winner is surprisingly not the richest driver - Michael Schumacher is.

So, to answer the question 'do F1 drivers go to school? ' –yes, but their education might look a bit different from traditional schooling. However, most drivers will attend a 'regular' primary and secondary school.

Pay drivers in F1 history. While drivers like Stroll, Lauda, Schumacher and Mazepin have all received a race seat through financial backing, they are not the only so-called pay drivers in history - here are some other examples.

“In order to be a great Formula 1 driver, you need to have the cognitive capabilities of a chess grandmaster, the strength, stamina, and reactions of a fighter, and then you also have to have the endurance of a marathon runner.” Former F1 performance coach Clayton Green breaks down precisely why they average person ...

How much does a superlicence cost? The mandatory superlicence reportedly consists of a €10,400 base figure that every driver must pay to ensure they can compete in the following season. There is also a reported additional charge of €2,100 for every point scored in the season that has just passed.

However, if you'd like to have a seat, tickets skyrocket in price for the Grandstand tickets, which start at $600 and go up as high as $1,225.

F1 drivers need money

Those who are lucky enough to own a kart to begin with will need to have enough money to address mechanical issues, to enter races and much more. That's why some drivers may never reach Formula 1 level, even if they are extremely talented.