Being A Formula 1 Driver In Malaysia

[Neno]

Just find some good financial background, today it's more important then your talent and you racing history with results.

[CHT]

J. Villeneuve started at 13 or 14 too, and I think the guy you're looking, Jameel, is Damon Hill. And it wasn't even kart but motorcycle.

I wont want to use them as an example as 1) they come from wealthy family, 2) they have very recognizable last name, 3) they are well connected

[Cam]

Don't dream, don't talk. Do.

If it was me, I'd pick a manufacturer and start sweeping their floors. This will get you a toe in and a path thats relevant with people in the industry you can meet. Every spare moment - race. Can't race? Train. Live like a race driver. Eat, train, sleep, practice etc. if you show that much initiative people will notice. Also, there's a really nice PR story in there. PR = media = sponsors. If you already have a toe in with a manufacturer, it's a no brainier for them to take that PR and run with it. You do this, if be very surprised you didn't get a 'test' drive in something within 2 years.

Actions speak louder than words and everyone loves an underdog. When you do get that test - credit me.

Good luck.

[Lurk]

J. Villeneuve started at 13 or 14 too, and I think the guy you're looking, Jameel, is Damon Hill. And it wasn't even kart but motorcycle.

I wont want to use them as an example as 1) they come from wealthy family, 2) they have very recognizable last name, 3) they are well connected

Hill family lost everything after Graham's Death, we already talk of that on another topic. But yeah the name helped.
Still he was 21 when he started racing so he's the proof you can start late and still have a good level.

Money is always needed to become high level driver, but it is not be a problem if you are really good and choose your contacts carefully.

[Jameel]

what i think i am gonna do is, when i am 17 ill get a part time job.my salary will be around rm 1500-2000 around 500$ which i am going to buy a kart and make my own,it doesnt matter where i go as long race and at least compete in a formula series

[lizardfolk]

Sato started racing when he was 19 and he's probably the second best japanese driver only to Kobayashi (also has a podium like Koby). It's not too late to get into racing, it might be pretty late for you to get into F1 however but you never know...

Jim Russell is a great school but if you have no interest in American based motorsports (IndyCar and Grand-Am) then it might not be a good idea to go stateside.

With open wheel, IndyCar's pretty much within it's own world like Formula Nippon, but Grand-Am crosses over with WEC and GT drivers all the time as the endurance sports car world is less... well... mutually exclusive (a light schedule tends to help with that too).

Also you might want to look into the background of Fairuz Fauzy. He didn't exactly "make it" into F1 (as he never got a drive) but he came pretty close. Honestly, if you want to get into racing it might be a better shot with tin tops than formulas.

Also... people will probably scoff at this... but simulations (like PROPER simulations like Live for Speed, iRacing, rFactor 2 not arcadey wannabie sims) can actually help a lot in understanding basic car control. How well simulator experience translates into real life experience will depend on the person but I say that the fact that Greger Huttu or Wyatt Gooden can be somewhat decent in real life without any pre existing experience speaks a lot to games like iRacing. Read this:
http://kotaku.com/5700609/can-a-video-g ... ace-driver

[Jameel]

hello everyone,i would like to ask,if i go to a racing school,does it increases my chances on being a formula 1 driver or any other single seater series, thank you.

[garygph]

In what way? Getting a sponsor? No. The ways to try and do that could fill a book, but I think that who you know is probably the most powerfull influence of them all in my view.

If you are talking about your skill as a driver then I think it could help but thats all. It will not be the deciding factor.

However I think that if you have that absolute burning desire to compete and win and you have the means to potentially improve your performance in any way ...then you would not need to ask that question at all. You have to have to have to have that insane desire to win and find every millisecond you can from every department you can think of, physical (weight,fitness for eg), mental, financial, competitive car, competitive team etc etc.

In my view you should not be asking if learning will help but finding out which course is the best to learn from, which books to read, what training is the best and so on.

Good luck. Exciting times lie ahead of you if you have the finace and the drive.

[Jersey Tom]

Money, talent, and perseverance are probably 3 of the biggest ingredients. Going to a driving school might increase the talent aspect by some amount, sure.

[Cam]

Another fun fact I just heard on the F1 TV broadcast - Stefano Domenicali actually started out helping as a Marshall at the Italian GP before joining Ferrari in HR. Since starting in HR, he is now running the Ferrari team. Not bad for a former marshall.

From Wiki:

Even as a child, he went to the race track at weekends to help out in the paddock and in the media centre

Where there is a will, there is a way.

[Jameel]

Guys, i am back,i tried karting already,it was fun i belive i drove a 125 cc stroke kart at average 60 kmh.now i got finacial problems,my parents aren't supporting me at all,they say being an f1 driver is a mistake you will make.anyways i am boy with an average brain, i am fourteen.i got 2 options now.weither to save for a go kart which will cost me 5000 ringgit($1670) dollars or save up for racing school, i need opinions.

[lizardfolk]

I would say save for a kart. If you actually want to develop some theoretical race craft you can always try to buy some good racing sims.

Simulations will never replace real life or a real school but I personally believe doing some racing sims can actually help you develop the theoretical aspects of racing. This isn't just my opinion, some pros swear by practicing in realistic sims.

rFactor 2 (still in development), and iRacing are your only real choices.