Karting to Formula 1.....

On 2nd August, the British Grand Prix will take place at Silverstone race track without spectators but available to watch on Sky Sports and Channel 4.

Race Facts

52 laps

5.891 km circuit

3 Practice Sessions

1 Qualifying Session

Karting

The starting point to becoming a F1 driver is karting and there are race tracks across the country offering driving experiences for your age group. Many of them won’t be open yet but organisations like ‘Go-Karting’ have tracks across the country and will have sessions for over 8’s when permitted.

You may want to start by hosting a birthday party or you may like the idea of attending a kart club. Just follow the link and put in your postcode for their nearest centre to where you live and have a go.

http://www.uk-go-karting.com/juniors/#ageheight

The karts are often height dependent though – as you have to be able to reach the pedals- but there’s a useful height guide on the page too.

Formula 1

Many of the top Formula 1 drivers you will have heard of at Silverstone started their driving careers in karts including Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and the great Lewis Hamilton who started competing aged 8.

Being a Formula 1 racing driver you need incredible skill, focus, coordination and courage. They race in heat and rain at speeds of around 200 mph.

Here are some track guides of Monacco and Canada so you can see what the drivers see.

Sports Broadcasting

Many of you will have seen the fantastic Natalie Pinkham at Formula 1 races on Sky Sports. We were lucky enough to talk to her about her job, the countries she has visited and why she loves this sport.

Natalie Pinkham

How long have you been involved in the world of Formula 1?

My first job in F1 was for BBC Radio Five Live in 2011.

Is motor racing your favourite sport or do you enjoy others sports equally as much?

I love F1 and always have; but I am passionate about all sports - particularly athletics, rugby and football.

Which is your favourite Grand Prix and why?

It's a coin toss between Silverstone and Monaco - and I love them both for such different reasons. I grew up in Northamptonshire and my first F1 experience was at Silverstone aged 8. I love how passionate the British fans are, and there is always an incredible atmosphere. Monaco is off the charts! It's glitzy and glamorous, and has to be seen to be believed. It should be on everyone's bucket list - and can be done on a budget, so once the travel bans are lifted we should all get booking for 2021!

What has been your most memorable moment in F1?

Daniel Ricciardo winning in Monaco in 2018. He had a tough time in 2016 with the dodgy pit stop which robbed him of the victory, so 2018 was redemption. Daniel is a my closest friend in F1 and a lovely guy through and through. To see his parents cry with joy was something to behold!

How many countries have you visited with F1?

My goodness - I would guess - 23!? Some races have left the calendar over the last 9 years and some have joined, there are very few parts of the world that we haven't visited through this great sport. Before having kids I used to go out ahead of the race and explore the various cities we were racing in, it was brilliant fun and a great cultural education. We also do on air travel guides for each country - so that we can give viewers a real sense of where we are.

How will the British Grand Prix be held differently this year?

Plans are still be developed, but we already know it will be significantly different; no fans for a start. It will be so strange not having tens of thousands of supporters there...they create the atmosphere, but the crucial thing is that we get back racing but do so safely.

Are all the teams/ drivers/ pit crew able to take part as they would on a normal race day?

Plenty of safety measures are being put in place to make sure everyone is protected. I think things will be clearer after the first race in Austria; I am sure we will adapt quickly to the new norm. F1 is a very prepared, thorough and efficient industry with an incredible ability to collaborate and pull together when needed. Everyone in the sport's approach during this crisis

What speeds do the drivers reach on the fastest parts of the circuit?

Up to about 370 kph....amazing stuff! I have a huge amount of respect for the drivers...and think they are slightly crazy too!

Are there any especially dangerous corners/passing points?

All motorsport is inherently dangerous, but F1 has put certain safety measures in place to help minimise accidents. The halo was a brilliant invention to help protect the drivers heads.

Who are the top drivers our readers should look out for?

Lewis Hamilton is without a doubt the highest profile of all the drivers, and impressively is going for his 7 World title this year. We have lots of young British talent coming through -George Russell and Lando Norris are both hugely impressive. They are fast and funny, so well worth a follow on social media if you don't do so already.

How did the top F1 drivers start out in this sport?

Most start out in karting from as young as 3 or 4 years old! My daughter Willow is nearly 4 and is asking for a go kart for her birthday!

If our readers started to enjoy karting is there a particular number of competitions they have to win in order to progress in the sport or do some get talent spotted when they are very young?

It's about getting in as much practice and competition as you possibly can (whilst always keeping up your school work!) There is so much out there - once lockdown is lifted get down to your local track and get started.

F1 is a very expensive sport but is karting accessible to most?

Absolutely.

How about girls starting this sport? The famous drivers we hear about are all men but are there any role models they can look up to at the top of F1?

More and more girls are getting involved in motorsport. I am passionate about getting more girls in to F1. Dare to Be Different and the W Series are doing great work to bring on new female talent and make the wider sport more accessible. I am personally determined to make 2020 the year when preceptions truly change about F1 - so that more females, and members of the BAME community get involved in F1 at every level.
Jamie Chadwick is a great female ambassador for the sport...she is super talented and ready to take on the boys!

Training

Before going on to the track, drivers use simulators to help them train.

Safety

Formula 1 is a dangerous sport and if you’ve ever watched a race you may have noticed the safety car out on the track? Here’s a closer look at that car.