In our second special column with Giovanni Minardi, we tackle the topic of costs head-on, delving into the details of what it takes financially to become a Pro and how to carefully evaluate investments in the medium and long term.
No financial endeavor exists without a ‘business plan,’ and climbing to the top of motorsport is no different. The journey to becoming a professional driver—whether aiming for Formula 1 or simply being paid for drive —is at least a decade-long process. Managing financial resources responsibly is crucial to preventing a “shared dream” (between young drivers and their families) from turning into a nightmare. This month, we discussed this subject with our insider, Giovanni Minardi, with the aim of moving beyond mere complaints about costs—though they certainly exist—and focusing on how to make informed decisions at key moments. These decisions must be based on the context and the actual growth of the driver, factors that only become clear along the way, sometimes well beyond the early Minikart stages.
The big question: is Motorsport only for the super-rich?
“Motorsport is undoubtedly an expensive sport, but it is not exclusively for the wealthy. Becoming an excellent driver doesn’t necessarily require participating in 30 races a year or competing only in the most prestigious championships. There are many single-make championships with more reasonable costs, where you can find highly skilled drivers who are just as competitive as those racing in WSK, Champions of the Future, the European Championship, and the World Championship. Moreover, if a driver has talent, it is still possible to find ways to race at more affordable costs—provided they deliver good results in return.”
When should you estimate the costs involved?
“It is true that children often start racing because of their parents’ (mostly dads) encouragement. Sometimes, a child enjoys racing as a hobby but is immediately expected to approach it professionally. In my opinion, families should assess expenses from the outset. First, they must determine whether racing will remain a hobby or if they want to pursue it as a future career. This distinction is crucial to avoid financial hardship, as many families have unfortunately gone into debt over motorsport.”
What opportunities does karting offer today?
“Karting provides an entry point into motorsport, teaching the rules of the game and, most importantly, developing technical skills that are invaluable later in a driver’s career. The best approach is to start slowly, evaluate the child’s abilities, and establish long-term goals. Regarding costs, there is no fixed ‘entry-level’ expense, as it varies depending on the championship and the number of races and tests a driver participates in. However, an estimated starting budget for a full championship, including a couple of test days at each circuit, is likely no less than €30K to €40K.”
How much of the total budget should be allocated to karting?
“It is difficult to separate karting and cars when discussing budgets. However, cars are significantly more expensive today. My main advice is not to overspend on karting, as this can leave insufficient funds for the transition to cars.”
Balancing fun and professional development in karting
“Unfortunately, the distinction between fun and professional development in karting has disappeared. By the age of eight, children are already expected to behave like mini-professionals. They train rigorously, do extensive testing, and compete in numerous races. Although learning continues throughout a career, young drivers today are expected to develop their skills within weeks. I believe this approach is wrong. Children should be allowed to grow and have fun at their own pace. From a financial perspective, it is wiser to allocate more resources to cars (whether Formula or GT) rather than karting, as that is where the real investment in a professional career begins. Ultimately, whether you compete in top-tier karting championships or single-make series, the end result remains the same—if you have the talent to become a professional driver.”
What about investing heavily in Minikart?
“It is difficult to assign specific percentages, but my main advice is not to waste excessive money. The focus should be on competing in the right championships with the right teams. A well-structured program that yields strong results is crucial for gaining visibility and sponsorship opportunities.”
Transitioning to cars: why budget planning matters
“When transitioning from karting to cars, the most important factor is knowing your available budget and structuring the best possible season accordingly. This means finding a way to place the driver in the best possible team, even with financial constraints. Testing is essential for preparing for car racing. While extensive on-track testing is ideal, those with smaller budgets can supplement with simulator training. Modern simulators are highly realistic and play a crucial role in a driver’s training. They are particularly useful for learning new tracks, and high-end simulators even allow for setup adjustments, saving valuable track time.”
What are the costs of on-track Formula 4 testing?
“For Formula 4, the first step after karting, a single test day typically costs between €5,000 and €12,000, depending on the number of new tire sets used. One test day is not enough to determine if Formula 4 is the right path, so I recommend at least two or three test days. Recently, new intermediate championships have emerged between karting and Formula 4, offering lower costs and potentially serving as a good stepping stone for some drivers.”
Have you ever delayed a category change to preserve budget?
“In over 20 years in this field, I have seen it all. I have delayed category transitions multiple times—not necessarily due to budget constraints but because the driver was not yet ready. Our goal is always to be fully prepared for the next level. Entering a category unprepared results in a wasted season and a significant financial loss.”
Where can costs be reduced without compromising performance?
“If you aim for top-tier results, cutting costs is not easy. The only area where you might strategically save money is testing days—though this depends on the driver’s experience level. If they are already skilled, they might not need as much testing. Logistics is another area where savings are possible. Planning ahead when booking flights, hotels, and rental cars can reduce costs. However, outside of logistics, cutting expenses without compromising performance is challenging.”
Final thoughts: is Motorsport only for the super-rich?
“Motorsport is not exclusively for the super-rich, but it is undeniably an expensive sport. However, if you are a talented driver, you can often find ways to compete at more manageable costs—at least in karting.”
Author: VROOM
