Climbing the ranks of Formula 1 is an adventure that requires true sacrifices, both for the drivers and their families.
Behind every F1 driver, there’s a family that has given everything—sometimes to the extreme—to see their child reach the pinnacle of the sport. But these sacrifices go far beyond money. Selling homes, nights spent in school parking lots, and broken careers… Here’s what some have endured to help an F1 star emerge.
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The price to pay for entering Formula 1
Karting, the mandatory first step for any aspiring driver, costs a fortune. A regional program can quickly reach $40,000 per year, while a national championship nears $130,000. And the higher you go, the more staggering the numbers become: a season in Formula 2 costs at least $2 million. An amount out of reach for most families—except for those willing to sacrifice everything. Liam Lawson is the perfect example. His family sold their house in New Zealand to fund his rise through the karting ranks. His sisters, promising national-level dancers, had to end their careers to give him a chance to chase his dream. Even after his F1 stint with Red Bull, his parents still don’t own a house—proof that the sacrifices don’t stop at the paddock’s entrance.
The sacrifices of the Ocon and Gasly families
Esteban Ocon knows all about sacrificing everything. His parents sold their house and lived in a caravan to keep supporting him. After every race weekend, they slept in his school’s parking lot so he could attend classes the next morning. A nomadic life, but a choice they embraced to give their son a shot in single-seaters. Pierre Gasly, on the other hand, remembers the day tax collectors knocked on their family’s door. His parents had gone into debt to keep him racing, to the point where they could no longer pay their bills. Their fight to secure sponsors was just as intense as their son’s battle on track. If Gasly is a recognized Formula 1 driver today, it’s also thanks to the sleepless nights his parents spent searching for funding. Fortunately, once a driver makes it to Formula 1, their salary usually covers the enormous costs required to get there.
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Far from home to reach the top
Not all sacrifices are financial. Motorsport also creates a massive distance between young drivers and their families. Lewis Hamilton watched his father juggle three jobs to fund his karting career, depriving him of precious time together. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri left Australia at a very young age to settle in England—a heartbreaking decision for his family, who had to watch him grow up from afar. Behind every F1 driver lies a story of sacrifice, sleepless nights, and insane gambles. While money plays a crucial role, without determination and unwavering family support, these drivers would never have reached the pinnacle of motorsport.
This article explores the unimaginable sacrifices made by F1 drivers’ families, from selling homes and abandoning careers to years of separation. Becoming a Formula 1 driver is a dream, but it comes at a price that only a select few can afford to pay.
Images: © Red Bull Content pool
