Karting to F1

When you watch Formula 1 drivers push the limits at over 200mph, it’s easy to forget where all their stories began. But nearly every top-level F1 driver from Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton started their motorsport journey in the same place: a kart on a local track.

Karting is the foundation of racing. It’s where drivers learn racecraft, sharpen their instincts, and build the confidence that fuels future F1 world champions!

From Kart Tracks to F1 Podiums

Max Verstappen grew up racing karts alongside Mick Schumacher, under the watchful eye of his father, Jos. Max's years in karting taught him fearlessness, precision, and a deep understanding of race dynamics — skills he now uses to dominate Formula 1.

Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and George Russell all honed their competitive edge in the different karting championships. These early races helped them develop discipline, technical skill, and a passion for motorsport that still drives them today.

Charles Leclerc credits kart racing with shaping his race vision and mental strength, and even today reflects on lessons learned during those early years.

Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon both battled their way through the karting ranks, racing each other long before they ever lined up on an F1 grid. For them, karting was more than a hobby, it was the very beginning of a lifelong dream.

Start Karting to the Top of Motorsport

Karting isn’t just a starting point, it’s the training ground for racing instincts, technical skills, and raw passion. The stories of today’s top F1 drivers show that karting was where they learned what it truly meant to race.

F1 Champions Start Karting

Max Verstappen:

"Karting is the most pure form of motorsport. I had so much fun, especially when racing with Mick Schumacher."

Top Gear interview by Jason Barlow (topgear.com)

Photos: Formula1.com – Max Verstappen: A Force of Nature in Formula 1

CRG Karting – From Karting with CRG to the F1 Title (kartcrg.com)

Max spent his early years karting with Mick Schumacher, under the close mentorship of his father Jos Verstappen, who was instrumental in his early training, and Max has often said that karting taught him everything about competition, race discipline, and mental toughness. These karting years with CRG karts gave Max his fearless edge and razor-sharp racing instincts that would later define his F1 dominance.

Oscar Piastri:

“Karting was where it all began. The fundamentals I learned in karts still help me now."
Vroom Kart – What Kind of Kart Driver Was He? (vroomkart.com)

Photos: McLaren – Oscar Piastri: Road to Victory (mclaren.com)

Oscar developed his racecraft and control through early championships in Australia and then Europe. From Australia’s karting circuits to the F1 grid, Oscar Piastri frequently highlights how much of his current performance comes from those early laps in competitive karting. As he’s risen through F3, F2, and now Formula 1 with McLaren, Oscar continues to highlight how karting taught him to read races and execute overtakes.

Lando Norris:

“Karting was a great time in my life. I wouldn’t change it for anything."
The RaceBox interview by Guillaume Alvarez (theracebox.com)

Photos: KartSportNews – Lando Norris Dominates at Kimbolton (kartsportnews.com)

Lando’s path to F1 was built on years of karting competition taking him through top British and International circuits, building the smooth, fast-paced style he’s known for today. His journey through the ranks was filled with lessons in pressure, progression, and personal growth. He speaks often about the importance of enjoying the process and how karting was where that joy started.

George Russell:

“Back in karting, it was just pure racing. That’s what I fell in love with.”
The RaceBox interview by Guillaume Alvarez (theracebox.com)

Photos: Vroom Kart – George Russell Flourishes in F1 (vroomkart.com)

George’s journey from karting to Formula 1 is a textbook example of how early experiences on track build future champions. He credits the simplicity and competitiveness of karting for shaping his focus and consistency he’s now known for in F1 and and helping him understand the mental and physical demands of motorsport from a young age.

Charles Leclerc:

“Most of my race vision... I’ve learned through karting.”
The RaceBox interview by Guillaume Alvarez (theracebox.com)

Leclerc’s sharp awareness and mental strength were shaped on the karting circuits of Monaco and beyond. Charles credits his instinctive race intelligence to years spent mastering kart tracks. His strategic thinking and confident overtakes can be traced directly to the early days when every tenth of a second counted.

Lewis Hamilton:

“Karting was where I learned everything. It was tough, but it built who I am.”
Red Bull Motorsports – Hamilton & Rosberg Karting Archive Footage (redbull.com)

Photo: Vroom Kart – Hamilton: Special Lap? But in Karts It Was Even Worse (vroomkart.com)

Lewis Hamilton began karting at age 8 and quickly rose through the ranks, pushing boundaries and outthinking his opponents. Hamilton’s karting days were fiercely competitive, racing against future F1 rival Nico Rosberg in tightly fought battles that honed his raw talent.

His karting roots shaped the relentless drive we see today. It was in karts that he earned recognition and developed the grit that still defines him one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.

Alex Albon:

“I had good battles with Verstappen back then... Karting was incredibly competitive.”
The RaceBox interview by Guillaume Alvarez (theracebox.com)

Photo: Vroom Kart – Back to Karting for Russell and Albon (vroomkart.com)

Alex’s early years in karting were spent racing some of the same drivers he now competes against in F1 seeing him go head-to-head with some of the best, including Max Verstappen, building a reputation for speed, respect, and race intelligence. Albon reflects on the grit and the intensity of karting as a place to learn racing skills and share close racing moments with future F1 rivals.

These stories show that greatness doesn’t begin in Formula 1, but it starts in a kart. Whether you’re dreaming of F1 or simply chasing the next best time, karting is where champions are made.

Coming soon deeper insights, videos, and reflections from these champions about their days starting kartin

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