Hamilton on top, but concern at grassroots level
BANBURY: I think it’s harder for anyone from a council estate to get to Formula One now. It’s pretty much impossible because you don’t have the money.
Britain is on top of the world in Formula One, with Lewis Hamilton beginning his quest for a fifth championship this weekend, but there is concern at grassroots level. With costs spiralling and junior kart teams racing on six figure budgets, youngsters hoping to emulate Hamilton’s rise are being priced out.
Britain’s Motor Sports Association (MSA) says the number of MSA licence holders in karting -where future champions learn their craft -- has fallen by 30% in the decade. Less than 12% of the total are under the age of 21.
“I don’t think it’s an insurmountable problem but it’s certainly something we need to address quickly,” David Richards, the former F1 team principal who was appointed chairman of the MSA in January,said.
“Otherwise, where will the next Lewis Hamiltons come from? So it’s going to be one of our big focuses now over the next couple of years at the MSA, looking at karting and how we can make it more accessible, how we can stop it becoming too bureaucratic...”
The country has produced a string of top drivers, boasts world-class engineering and most of the Formula One teams are based there. Richards was concerned, however, about what could happen five or 10 years down the road. “If there are such big barriers to participation that we can’t get the talent in the first place, that means we don’t get the best people in,” he said. “I really do believe that at the grassroots level today, those barriers do exist.”
Speaking at the launch of his Mercedes team’s W09 car, Hamilton doubted it would have been possible for someone from his background, without money, to come through now. “Right now racing is just ridiculously expensive,” said the 33-year-old.
“I think it’s much harder for anyone from a council estate to get to Formula One now. It’s pretty much impossible because you don’t have the money.”
Richards suggested electric karts could be one way to contain costs and level the playing field.
“We can look at ways in which we make sure that the karts are all equal and we don’t end up with this ridiculous situation where people are buying 10 engines to find the best one,” he said.
“We can’t have motorsport accessible only to the rich,” added Richards. “This sport has got to be accessible to far more people.”
The fate of the British grand prix was another concern, with Silverstone hosting the first Formula One championship race in 1950 but its future uncertain after 2019. Circuit owners the BRDC have activated a break clause in their contract that means a farewell unless a new deal is struck.
“I think the opportunity to use a flagship event like the grand prix to promote Britain at a time when we need to be promoting ourselves, our engineering expertise and our talent in this country, shouldn’t be lost on government,” said Richards.
If there are such big barriers to participation that we can’t get the talent in the first place, that means we don’t get the best people in.
DAVID RICHARDS, MSA chairman