Are F1 Drivers Really The Best In The World?

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Is Verstappen The Best Racing Driver?
01:01 How much does it cost to get into F1?
05:04 The Rise of The Paydriver
07:07 Best Driver vs. Pay Driver

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Athletic Interest is a video essay series that investigates business stories from the world of sports.

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#formula1 #maxverstappen #racing

[bharatchandra]

That's why I love Ocon's story! When he was racing in go-karts (against Verstappen and Leclerc), he was living in a caravan with his parents as they had sold their house to fund his racing career. I am still amazed how it's not a movie yet. That's the plot of a fricking anime right there!! 😂

[landeygrocks]

The success of hamilton, vettel & ocon makes me wonder those families who had sacrificed everything but their children still don’t make it to f1, it must be a devastating feeling 😩

[ashooaway]

As an adult who wanted this as a kid.

I should also say what also limits the driver crop is the amount of parents who are willing to even go ahead with the activities in the first place.

Travelling Thursdays until every Sunday whilst their kids miss school for some stupid dream isn't something most enjoy

[thimoumii]

this only shows how talented Latifi is

[JuanQuinelli]

In my opinion, getting sponsors is a legit way to climb the motorsport ladder and would not consider it as paydrivers. I think paydrivers from rich parents are the real problem, because they don't even have to impress sponsors or reach a certain level of performance to keep them in the sport.

[justgary]

This is why Seb and Lewis are just in a league of their own. Say what you will about Hamilton, but that man his dad dedicated their lives to achieving their a dream. You can't help but feel good for them!

[Ilkeryiit]

I started in competitive karting back in 2005 as a 11 year old until 2017. I even raced against Verstappen, Norris, Guan Yu Zhou between 2012-2014. Then got Finally picked up by Porsche Carrera Junior Program despite the scolarship of 80k that I had, I had to stop as I needed 250.000€ for 2 seasons. It’s not only about Talent !!!

[NavF]

Short answer is no. The grid is never composed of the 20 best drivers, but at least 75% of them usually are in F1. There's no way you could suggest that Sebastien Loeb for example wasn't one of the 10 best drivers in the world at some point. F1 also usually discounts older drivers who might have improved with experience - for instance, I'd say Kobayashi in the late 2010s was better than he was in the early 2010s, etc.

[haissake]

You completely forgot Alonso! His parents were working class and had to put a lot of work and money to support his carreer. His father was a karting fan and even made a DIY "kart" for Alonso's older sister, who rejected it. Alonso liked that homemade kart, the rest is history.

[innocntbystndr]

You should do a story about Ocon. He’s literally Driving to Survive. Kudos to his parents, really inspiring story!

[TheFiki]

When you hear of stories like Hamiltons, Ocons, Vettels, etc… it just goes to show how their parents must’ve really seen something special to put everything behind their kids

[TheOfficialZhya]

You guys forgot to include Kimi Raikkonen, guys. Man had humble beginnings, a controversial entry, and then Suzuka 2005 happened.

[devanshtiwari]

I have seen this channel grow from start to here and proudly watched every video within a day of release

[TripleAlfafa]

If one looks at F1 during it's earliest years, it was predominantly a sport of rich gentlemen with a few early professionals who then also raced in a lot of other categories just to make ends meet.

[JJTheNight]

Don't forget there are many sports that requires large investments. Tennis in example is also very expensive if you want to reach the top, as you have to do a lot of international tourneys to get to the top.

[tarcisiocolaresnogueirajun]

Excellent video once more. I'd suggest as a theme an analysis of the access to elite sports between athletes from wealthy countries vs athletes from poorer continents or countries.

[rhyswilliams]

Another reason to love Seb. He did it the hard way and knows he is in a position to push for change now.

[Definitely_Melnyx]

I wish we could see talented driver in a bad car vs pay driver in a good car.

[GeHeum]

I feel that one this is just a given for F1.
Even karting has such high maintenance costs to just run that it will always be impossible to compete in the sport for a reasonably low price.

[thatonemouse]

Reminded me of Raikkonen's humble beginnings, shows how things are different today.