Racey Thoughts: No, It Doesn’t Just Take Money

Despite what many people think, being a pro race driver is not all about the money.

I wrote a social media post a week or so ago, saying that many drivers with the skills and talent to go far in the sport didn’t because they weren’t willing to put in the effort, and sacrifice what it took to make it to the top.

I was disappointed with the number of people who commented, saying that all it really took was money, as if talent, skill, desire, and commitment weren’t important.

For example, here are a few Facebook comments:

“Sadly many race seats aren't filled with the best drivers, they're filled with the best driver that can buy their way in.”

“It’s who ya know and how much $$$$ you bring to the game.”

“I’m gonna save you a ton of time from whatever this is and just say the answer is money. You can do anything with money other than buy time.”

People who make comments like this just don’t get it. They certainly don’t understand just how hard a pro driver has had to work to get to where they are, and how much they’ve sacrificed. They especially don’t believe that drivers who come from wealthy families work hard (but they do!).

I think many of them are driven by jealousy; I don’t believe those saying such things are willing to do what it takes.

Turn that thinking around, and consider this. If you’re from a wealthy family, you might not have to work hard at pretty much anything. You could coast through life, taking the easy way out. But the drivers who make it did work hard. It doesn’t matter how much money a driver has, they had to work to get to where they are today.

Let’s take a look at a favorite target for the “only reason he’s here is because his father is rich” thinking: Lance Stroll.

Yes, his father is rich. That’s an understatement. And he owns Aston Martin, the team Lance drives for. On the surface, that looks entirely like he doesn’t deserve to be driving in F1. But look beyond the surface.