F1 myths: fact or fiction?

You've probably heard a lot of misconceptions about F1, and you may even have a few of your own. Some are simply false, while others contain a grain of truth.

Behind the glitz and glamour of Formula 1 lies a steep financial ladder that only the wealthiest can climb, as well as a carbon footprint that forces the sport to face up to its own impact. Toto Wolff presented the cost in raw figures: a prodigious talent must first spend around €1 million on karting before moving on to the junior categories. A full season in Formula Renault or Formula 4 adds around €350,000, followed by €650,000 for a year in F3. After two seasons in F3, the total reaches €2.7 million, and a move to GP2 (now F2) costs an additional €1.5 million. By the time a driver is ready to enter the premier class, the bill climbs to €7-8 million, of which €2-3 million is often needed just to get a seat. This financial hurdle has changed the makeup of drivers. Drivers such as Lance Stroll and Nikita Mazepin have made their way onto the starting grid thanks to considerable financial support from their families, while legends such as Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon have proven that raw talent can still prevail, the former having been spotted at the age of twelve by Ron Dennis and signed a long-term contract with Mercedes.

The environmental footprint of the sport is equally complex. Although hybrid engines are cleaner than their predecessors, the bulk of Formula 1's emissions, around 260,000 tons of CO₂ per year, come from the logistics required to transport cars, equipment, and personnel around the world. The series has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, relying on renewable energy and innovative CO₂ capture systems. Despite this, its impact is insignificant compared to events such as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which generated nearly 2.8 million tons of carbon, mainly due to fan travel.

Critics who describe the championship as “boring” due to its periods of dominance overlook its inherently spectacular nature. Since its inception, 33 drivers have won the title, 767 have started a Grand Prix, and 110 have stood on the top step of the podium, proving that it is always possible to win a race even when starting from the back of the grid. Gender equality remains another unresolved issue. Only five women have ever started a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and female representation within teams is modest. Yet the sport is not strictly male-dominated; figures such as former team principal Claire Williams and current Mercedes executive Monisha Katelborn show that women can reach the highest echelons of management. In practice, however, barriers remain, making Formula 1 an area where inclusion is still a work in progress.