Ad-free F1 pod: Is the junior ladder fit for purpose?
Added 2024-10-07 11:43:02 +0000 UTCWith Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman impressing on their Formula 1 outings this year, and Kimi Antonelli landing a place at Mercedes for 2024, the question of the relevance of Formula 2 has been talked about extensively in recent months.
The Race F1 Podcast has now joined the discussion with an in-depth debate about not only F2, but the state of the whole junior ladder and whether the fact the drivers getting the best results in the primary feeder series are being overlooked is a problem.
Nelson Valkenburg, who commentates on Formula 1 in the Netherlands and is steeped in junior single-seater racing itself, and Samarth Kanal join Edd Straw to give an overview of the landscape and explain what's working and what isn't.
We start off with an explanation of why the mooted 'rookie race' won't happen at the Abu Dhabi test this year, but could take place next year, and look at the reasons for drivers ranked down the order in the F2 standings excelling in their F1 chances.
We then attempt to define the problem, and propose potential solutions to ensure that the junior ladder remains healthy and fit for purpose.
Comments
Surprised the role of eSports and sim platforms like iRacing didn’t get a mention. They are extremely affordable in comparison, completely equitable, allow infinite testing and are highly competitive. So many drivers across all racing series across the globe already dedicate a serious amount of time honing their skills on these platforms. As they improve in accuracy and realism year-on-year (they are already very good), surely there’s a pathway here to help filter the pool of upcoming drivers more fairly ?
Rod Pindar
2024-10-09 07:51:43 +0000 UTCWhat's the price comparison between Indycar, F2 and FE to run a car for a season?
Gareth Anstee
2024-10-08 07:49:20 +0000 UTCLoved this discussion! To play devil's advocate, is it also easy to fall into a trap and see this purely as a modern phenomenon? For example, for all of Ayrton Senna's obviously immense talent, would he ever have made it without his family's relative wealth? Looking further back many were gentleman drivers were who there because they had the luxury of time and money to fritter away on an endeavour like motor racing.
Joshua Milton
2024-10-08 07:12:33 +0000 UTCLoved this - as the father of a 12 year old who is good at karting, and we have done some premier pay and drive series, we are hitting the normal person price ceiling already - one thing we have noticed which wasn’t discussed much is how much esports is having a role in motorsport entry for ‘normal people’ we are potentially pivoting to that for my son next year, as it’s an easier way to get exposure on an international level.
Michael Griggs
2024-10-07 16:49:42 +0000 UTCLots of interesting insights from especially Nelson in a side of racing I know very little of… nice to hear more about F2, F3, F4, Freca etc etc
Rogier Timofei
2024-10-07 16:15:24 +0000 UTC
