Source:REUTERS/Edgar Su
[Saba Sports News] On the eve of the 2024 F1 US Grand Prix, seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton shared his views on the current state of karting and junior racing. In recent years, the costs of karting and junior racing have significantly increased. It is reported that participating in a full F2 season can cost up to £1 million, which is a huge financial burden for most families. However, it is concerning that more and more children are giving up their education to pursue racing dreams. Hamilton believes that this trend is “very detrimental to children’s future development” and reminds children and parents with racing aspirations not to overlook the importance of education in pursuit of a racing career. Hamilton emphasized that motorsport should ensure that children have backup plans, as over 99% of drivers do not make it to F1 and need other avenues. Records show that Hamilton himself grew up through the junior karting system and was eventually signed by McLaren. However, at that time, McLaren’s boss Ron Dennis insisted that he return to school to complete his education in case his racing career did not succeed.