Do you have to be rich to enter Formula 1?

Formula 1 is often criticized for the enormous amounts of money required, just to have a chance at making a career in it.

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton even described the sport as a "billionaire boys' club." But does this statement truly reflect reality? 🤔

In this article, I analyzed the backgrounds and origins of the 20 drivers on the 2025 grid to understand who they are, where they come from, and most importantly, how they funded their rise to the top of motorsport 🤗

So, do you really have to be rich to make it to F1? 💰

F1 Grid 2025: Who Are the Drivers and How Did They Fund Their Careers?

Max Verstappen - Oracle Red Bull Racing

Born in 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, Max Verstappen grew up in an environment perfectly suited to motorsport.

Son of Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver, and Sophie-Marie Kumpen, a former karting champion, he started karting at the age of 4 under his father’s guidance. With such a racing heritage, he quickly attracted sponsors and climbed the ranks at lightning speed 🚀

In 2014, backed by several Dutch companies, including Jumbo (a supermarket chain), he made his single-seater debut and excelled in Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing. His performances caught Red Bull’s attention, leading to his integration into the Junior Team and a historic F1 debut at just 17 years old, a record 🎉

Liam Lawson - Oracle Red Bull Racing

Born in 2002 in Hastings, New Zealand, Liam Lawson comes from an upper-middle-class family. Despite this, his parents had to make major sacrifices, including selling their house, to support his early karting career.

By the age of 7, he was already showing promising talent, which led to a championship victory in New Zealand Formula Ford in 2016-2017. His skills attracted major local sponsors, allowing him to move up to Australian and German Formula 4, where he finished as vice-champion 🥈

See also: "Formula Ford : single-seaters accessible to all"

In 2019, Lawson joined the Red Bull Junior Team, which supported his progress through the junior categories. After impressive performances in F3 and F2, and a standout season in Super Formula in 2023 with Mugen (wins and a vice-champion title), he became a reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri 💪

Lawson made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo. He scored his first points at the Singapore Grand Prix and impressed with his consistency. In 2024, he was given a full-time seat with Racing Bulls for the final six races of the season, scoring points on his first outing in Austin. In December 2024, Red Bull Racing announced him as a full-time driver alongside Max Verstappen for 2025.

Lewis Hamilton - Scuderia Ferrari

Born in 1985 in Stevenage, England, Lewis Hamilton grew up in a very modest family. His father, Anthony Hamilton, worked multiple jobs to fund his early karting career, while other family members contributed by dipping into their savings. Lewis started karting at the age of 8, and the following year, he won his first national championship 🏆

This success earned him an invitation to the Autosport Awards, where he approached Ron Dennis, McLaren's team principal, and told him he would drive for his team one day. Impressed, Dennis promised to follow his career. Three years later, McLaren signed him into their young driver program and financed his progression through Formula Renault, F3, and GP2. In 2007, he made a sensational debut in F1 with McLaren, kickstarting one of the most successful careers in motorsport history 🤩

Charles Leclerc - Scuderia Ferrari

Born in 1997 in Monaco, Charles Leclerc discovered karting at the age of 5 on the Brignoles circuit, managed by the father of Jules Bianchi, a close family friend. He is the son of Hervé Leclerc, a former F3 driver, from whom he inherited his passion for racing 🏁

However, his family faced financial constraints: his older brother, Lorenzo, gave up karting so that Charles, seen as the more promising driver, could continue. In 2011, when his family could no longer support his career, he considered quitting. Jules Bianchi introduced him to Nicolas Todt, who invested in him through All Road Management, securing his future. Thanks to this support, Charles won the CIK-FIA championship in the KF3 category that same year, a major milestone in karting 💪

His younger brother, Arthur, currently competing in F3, also had to put his career on hold due to the family's financial struggles. But Charles kept impressing: GP3 champion in 2016, F2 champion in 2017, he made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2018 before joining Ferrari in 2019 🔥

Lando Norris - McLaren F1 Team

Born in 1999 in Bristol, England, Lando Norris is the son of Adam Norris, a businessman ranked among the wealthiest in the UK. This financially privileged background allowed him to start karting at a very young age, benefiting from significant resources to progress 💸

He quickly stood out for his talent, winning multiple karting titles, which propelled him into higher racing categories 🏆

With his family’s financial support and his entry into the McLaren young driver program in 2017, he rapidly climbed the motorsport ladder. He made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2019, establishing himself as one of the most promising young talents on the grid 🚀

Oscar Piastri - McLaren F1 Team

Born in 2001 in Melbourne, Australia, Oscar Piastri is the son of Chris Piastri, founder of HP Tuners, a company specializing in automotive tuning equipment. Coming from a wealthy family, he began karting at the age of 9 and quickly progressed thanks to his talent 👍

In 2019, he won the Formula Renault Eurocup, a title that opened the doors to the Renault Sport Academy. The following year, he was taken under the wing of former F1 driver Mark Webber, who became his manager and guided his career progression.

Piastri continued his streak of success, winning the FIA Formula 3 championship in 2020 and the Formula 2 championship in 2021. In 2023, he made his F1 debut with McLaren, quickly confirming his immense potential alongside Lando Norris.

George Russell - Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport

Born in 1998 in King's Lynn, England, George Russell grew up in a motorsport-loving family. His older brother, Benjy, a former national and world karting champion, played a mentoring role, helping him start karting at the age of 6.

Their father, Steve Russell, ran a seed and legume trading business, providing limited but stable financial support. While the family was not poor, they could not afford to finance all the higher steps of his career without external help 💰

In Formula 3, George knew it was his last chance—without a victory, he risked having to end his career. Thanks to the Mercedes junior program, backed by Gwen Lagrue and Toto Wolff, he secured the support needed to continue 💪

He went on to win titles in GP3 (2017) and F2 (2018) before making his F1 debut with Williams in 2019. In 2022, he joined Mercedes, where he secured his first Grand Prix victory 🏆

Andrea Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport

Born in 2006 in Bologna, Italy, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the son of Marco Antonelli, a former driver and owner of AKM Motorsport. As early as 2015, at just 9 years old, he was spotted by Gwen Lagrue, a talent scout for the Mercedes junior program, known for launching the careers of Esteban Ocon, Alexander Albon, and George Russell 👀

Kimi started karting at the age of 7 and quickly made a name for himself by winning the CIK-FIA European Championship twice 🏆

He joined the Mercedes junior program in 2019, receiving valuable support. In 2022, he claimed both the Italian and German Formula 4 titles before winning the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023. His rise has been meteoric, backed by his father’s experience and Mercedes’ guidance 🚀

In 2024, he finished 6th in the Formula 2 championship. Shortly after, Mercedes announced his promotion to a Formula 1 race seat for the 2025 season, where he will partner with George Russell 🏎️

Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team

Born on July 29, 1981, in Oviedo, Spain, Fernando Alonso is the son of José Luis Alonso, a factory worker passionate about motorsports, who introduced him to karting at just 3 years old. With limited financial resources, his father built a track near the factory where he worked and personally repaired Fernando's karts 🛠️

At a young age, he began winning races and quickly accumulated titles: Spanish Junior Karting Champion (1993-1995) and World Champion in 1996 🏆. Fernando received crucial support from Marco Genis and the IAME factory to compete at a high level in karting 🙏

Having showcased his talent in international competitions, Fernando caught the attention of Adrián Campos, a former driver and manager of Campos Motorsport. Campos invited him to his home and, convinced by his abilities, offered him an opportunity in the Euro Open by Nissan 👀

In 1999, Fernando made his single-seater debut, winning 6 out of 9 races and finishing as vice-champion. In 2000, he moved up to Formula 3000 with Astromega, finishing 4th despite his lack of experience 🏎️

This performance caught the eye of Flavio Briatore, who became his manager and promoted him to Formula 1 with Minardi in 2001 🤩

Lance Stroll - Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team

Born in 1998 in Montreal, Canada, Lance Stroll is the son of Lawrence Stroll, a Canadian billionaire businessman, and Claire-Anne Callens, a Belgian designer. Coming from a highly privileged background, he started karting at 10 years old and quickly won multiple regional and national titles 💪

In 2010, he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy, gaining access to top-level training 🔴

Thanks to his family’s financial backing, he progressed rapidly through the junior categories, securing the following titles:

• Italian Formula 4 Champion in 2014 ✅
• Toyota Racing Series Champion in 2015 ✅
• European Formula 3 Champion in 2016 ✅

In 2017, he made his Formula 1 debut with Williams, becoming the second-youngest driver to stand on a podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 🏁

In 2019, his father purchased the Racing Point team, where Lance continued his career before the team rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

While his path to F1 was greatly facilitated by family resources, his performances on track have also delivered results 🔥

Yuki Tsunoda - Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

Born on May 11, 2000, in Sagamihara, Japan, Yuki Tsunoda comes from a middle-class family. His father, Nobuaki Tsunoda, a former racing driver, played a key role in his career, serving as his mechanic until he was 14-15 years old.

Although the family was not particularly wealthy, his parents made numerous sacrifices to support his progress in this expensive sport. In 2016, he made his single-seater debut thanks to the Honda Formula Dream Project, which provided financial support and changed his trajectory 📈

After winning the Japanese Formula 4 championship in 2018, he joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2019. In 2020, he finished 3rd in Formula 2, securing a seat in F1 with AlphaTauri in 2021, becoming the first Japanese driver in F1 since 2014 🤩

Isack Hadjar - Visa Cash App RB F1 Team

Born in 2004 in Paris, Isack Hadjar grew up in a family far removed from the F1 paddocks. His father, a former amateur driver, and his mother, a scientist who later transitioned into human resources, did not have the financial backing of motorsport’s "rich kids". Yet, with their unwavering support, Isack started karting at the age of 6. His father became his mechanic, while his mother played a crucial role in relentlessly securing new sponsors 💸

Despite sometimes difficult conditions—outdated equipment and little training compared to his rivals—he made rapid progress. In 2019, he moved to single-seaters thanks to support from the FFSA Academy. He finished 6th in his first Formula 4 season with one victory, then improved to 3rd place in 2020 🥉

See also: "Formula 4 France: technical specifications and budget"

In 2021, he joined FRECA (Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine), where he scored points in his first race and won on the streets of Monaco. These performances caught the attention of Helmut Marko, head of the Red Bull Junior Team, who signed him to the 2022 young driver program 😎

In 2023, he made his Formula 2 debut with Hitech Grand Prix, showing promising potential despite inconsistent results. The following year, he joined Campos Racing and had an outstanding season, finishing Formula 2 vice-champion with multiple wins and podiums.

These performances caught the attention of F1 teams, and at the end of the season, Hadjar was called up by AlphaTauri for rookie tests. Shortly after, he was confirmed as a full-time driver for the 2025 season, marking his entry into the pinnacle of motorsport.

Oliver Bearman - MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Born on May 8, 2005, in Chelmsford, England, Oliver Bearman grew up in a motorsport-passionate family. His father, David Bearman, a successful businessman and founder of the Aventum Group, had raced as an amateur, as did his grandfather and uncle. This family tradition played a key role in igniting his passion for racing.

Oliver started karting at the age of 8 and quickly stood out by winning European and world titles in the X30 Junior category. In 2020, he transitioned to single-seaters, competing in the Italian and German Formula 4 championships, where he secured multiple victories and finished in the top 10 in both series.

In 2021, he delivered an outstanding performance by winning both the Italian and German Formula 4 championships 🏆

This success caught the attention of the Ferrari Driver Academy, which he joined in 2022, receiving essential coaching and financial support that helped him progress to F3 and later to F2 🙂

With his family’s financial backing and Ferrari’s support, Oliver rapidly climbed the motorsport ranks, proving that while talent is essential, strong guidance and solid resources are equally crucial for reaching Formula 1.

Esteban Ocon - MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Born in 1996 in Évreux, Normandy, Esteban Ocon grew up in a modest family. His parents, Laurent and Sabrina Ocon, owned a garage but sold everything to finance his racing career, living in a caravan to follow him to circuits 😲

Esteban started karting in 2004 and quickly racked up victories, winning the French Championship three times and competing against future stars like Anthoine Hubert and Pierre Gasly 🏆

In 2010, he joined the Lotus F1 Junior program, which helped him transition to single-seaters. Thanks to the Gravity Sport Management program, he made his debut in single-seaters and won the 2014 European Formula 3 Championship, beating Max Verstappen 💪

The following year, after securing the GP3 title, the Gravity program ended, leaving Esteban without a seat. This difficult winter marked a turning point: Mercedes spotted his talent and took charge of his career. In 2016, at just 19 years old, he became the youngest French driver to make his F1 debut with Manor at the Belgian Grand Prix.

He then joined Force India in 2017, driving a Mercedes-powered car. In an interview with TF1, Esteban admitted: “Mercedes saved my life. Without them, I would have stopped racing and ended up working in a garage or a restaurant.”

Thanks to his family’s dedication and crucial support from Gravity and Mercedes, Esteban overcame financial challenges to become a successful F1 driver. He notably secured his first F1 victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Alexander Albon - Williams Racing

Born in 1996 in London, Alexander Albon is the son of Nigel Albon, a former British racing driver who competed in the British Touring Car Championship and the Porsche Carrera Cup. He discovered karting at the age of 8 and quickly made a name for himself. Coming from a wealthy family, he was able to rely on financial support from his relatives to start his karting career. In 2010, he became European champion and world vice-champion, confirming his early talent.

He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2012 but was dropped after a difficult season in the Formula Renault Eurocup. This period was marked by personal struggles, as his mother, Kankamol Albon, was sentenced to prison for fraud. Despite these challenges, Alex persevered 💪

He later joined the Gravity program linked to Lotus F1, but lost this support when the team was acquired by Renault. Without family financial backing, he bounced back in Formula Renault and finished 3rd in the Eurocup in 2014.

In 2015, he impressed in F3 Europe, finishing 7th in a highly competitive field. His career gained momentum in GP3, where he finished runner-up in 2016, before moving to Formula 2 in 2017 and 2018. This progression was made possible thanks to the support of DAMS, which helped him secure the necessary budget.

Although he was set to join Formula E with Nissan e.dams, Red Bull came knocking again. After intense negotiations, he was brought back and made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019. His challenging path to F1 is a testament to his determination and ability to convince teams like DAMS and Red Bull, despite the hurdles he faced 🥵

Carlos Sainz Jr. - Williams Racing

Born on September 1, 1994, in Madrid, Carlos Sainz Jr. is the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz Sr.. Coming from a wealthy family deeply rooted in motorsport, he benefited from financial support and valuable guidance from his father from a young age. He began karting in 2006 and quickly climbed the ranks of European competitions.

In 2010, he joined the Red Bull Junior Team, a development program for young drivers that funded his progress through the junior single-seater series. After notable performances in Formula BMW, Formula Renault, Formula 3, and GP3, he won the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship with DAMS 🏆

This victory cemented his reputation and opened the doors to Formula 1. Sainz made his F1 debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team. He continued his career with moves to Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, before signing with Williams in 2025 🙂

Pierre Gasly - BWT Alpine F1 Team

Born on February 7, 1996, in Rouen, Pierre Gasly grew up in a motorsport-loving family. His father, Jean-Jacques Gasly, competed in karting and rallying. He started karting at the age of 6, supported by his family and his technical coach, Didier Bloc. His mother, Pascale, played a crucial role by tirelessly securing sponsors for ten years to fund his career 💰

Spotted by Sodikart, Pierre was integrated into the FFSA 10-15 Program in 2010, where he trained under the Auto Sport Academy. That year, he became French champion, European vice-champion, and finished fourth in the Karting World Cup 🏆

In 2011, at just 14 years old, he moved to Formula 4, encouraged by the FFSA, which included him in the Équipe de France circuit. In 2012, he progressed to the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, supported by an option contract with Red Bull Racing. Two years later, he was officially signed to the Red Bull Junior Team, which funded his single-seater seasons 💪

After winning the GP2 Series in 2016, he made his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2017. Pierre Gasly’s rise to F1 highlights the crucial role of family support, sponsors, and development programs like the FFSA and Red Bull in helping him climb the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsport 🚀

Jack Doohan - BWT Alpine F1 Team

Born on January 20, 2003, in Gold Coast, Australia, Jack Doohan is the son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan. Coming from a wealthy family, he benefited from financial backing and valuable guidance from his father from an early age.

It was Michael Schumacher, a former neighbor of the family, who gifted him his first kart, sparking his passion for motorsport. Jack began his single-seater career in 2018 when he joined the Red Bull Junior Team to compete in his first Formula 4 season 💪

He quickly climbed the ranks, finishing as Formula 3 vice-champion in 2021. In 2022, he left the Red Bull program to join the Alpine Academy, which financed his progression in Formula 2. He finished third in the F2 championship in 2023 while being managed by Flavio Briatore, the former Renault F1 team principal 📈

In 2024, Jack served as Alpine’s reserve driver before being promoted to a full-time race seat alongside Pierre Gasly in 2025. His rapid ascent, backed by strong family resources, the Red Bull program, and the Alpine Academy, demonstrates that raw talent, when properly nurtured, can lead to Formula 1 🚀

Nico Hülkenberg - Stake F1 Team

Born on August 19, 1987, in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, Nico Hülkenberg is the son of Klaus Dieter Hülkenberg, the owner of a maritime transport company. Coming from a wealthy family, he benefited from strong financial support for his racing career 😋

He started karting at the age of 10 and won multiple national and international titles. At the same time, he trained as a freight agent in the family business. Recognized for his talent, he was taken under the wing of Willi Weber, former manager of Michael Schumacher. Thanks to this support and major sponsors like DEKRA, which backed him from 2004 to 2019, Nico climbed the ranks 📈

He won the Formula 3 Euro Series championship in 2008 and the GP2 Series title in 2009. In 2010, he made his Formula 1 debut with Williams, where he secured a memorable pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix 🏆

The combination of family resources, key support from DEKRA, and his raw talent helped Nico establish himself as a respected figure in F1.

Gabriel Bortoleto - Stake F1 Team

Born on October 14, 2004, in Osasco, São Paulo, Gabriel Bortoleto is the son of Lincoln Oliveira, a successful Brazilian businessman, CEO, and co-owner of the Stock Car Pro Series in Brazil.

Coming from a wealthy family, Gabriel began karting at the age of 7 and quickly won multiple national titles. In 2020, he moved to single-seaters, competing in the Italian Formula 4 championship, where he stood out with strong performances 💥

His progress was supported by sponsors such as Porto Seguro, O Boticário, Banco de Brasília, and Qualcomm Snapdragon. In 2023, he won the Formula 3 title with Trident before securing the Formula 2 championship in 2024 with Invicta 🏆

These successive achievements earned him a place in Formula 1, where he joined the Stake F1 Team (Sauber) in 2025, becoming the first full-time Brazilian driver in F1 since 2017!

Ranking of F1 Drivers by Financial Background

After analyzing the individual backgrounds of each driver, it is possible to rank them based on the financial resources they had at the start of their careers. This ranking highlights the differences between those who had to overcome significant financial hurdles, those who received considerable family support, and those who grew up in privileged or ultra-wealthy environments.

F1 Drivers from Modest Backgrounds

ℹ️ These drivers grew up in modest families and had to face major financial struggles to reach F1.

• Lewis Hamilton
• Fernando Alonso
• Esteban Ocon

F1 Drivers from Middle and Upper-Middle-Class Backgrounds

ℹ️ Coming from families that were neither rich nor poor, these drivers saw their parents make huge sacrifices to fund their early careers, particularly in karting.

• Liam Lawson
• Charles Leclerc
• George Russell
• Yuki Tsunoda
• Isack Hadjar
• Pierre Gasly

F1 Drivers from Families with Motorsport Influence

ℹ️ These drivers had a clear advantage thanks to their parents, who were often involved in motorsport or lucrative businesses.

• Max Verstappen
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli
• Alexander Albon
• Carlos Sainz Jr.
• Jack Doohan

F1 Drivers from Extremely Wealthy Families

ℹ️ Coming from extremely wealthy families, these drivers benefited from substantial financial backing that made their rise to F1 easier. However, money alone is not enough to reach F1—talent and performance were also crucial factors.

• Lando Norris
• Oscar Piastri
• Lance Stroll
• Oliver Bearman
• Nico Hülkenberg
• Gabriel Bortoleto

With the exception of Fernando Alonso and Nico Hülkenberg, all the drivers on the 2025 grid have gone through an F1 team’s junior academy. Alonso was supported by Flavio Briatore, while Hülkenberg was managed by Willi Weber, a key figure in Michael Schumacher’s career.

While all these drivers have talent, it is undeniable that most of them either have a recognizable name or grew up in an environment that allowed them to finance at least part of their career.

Reaching F1 without financial resources is still possible, but it is becoming increasingly rare. The cost of karting, estimated at €250,000 for an international season, forces young drivers to rely on external support or substantial family contributions 💰

In conclusion, F1 remains a sport where talent and determination are essential, but where money plays an increasing role. For many, reaching the top depends as much on performance as on financial opportunities. It’s a delicate balance between meritocracy and privilege, fueling an ongoing debate.

See also: "Buying a Formula 1 car : it’s possible !"