Claim: The high costs of F1 participation for individuals and teams are primarily driven by technological

advancements, operational requirements and competitive pressure.

Evidence: Technological Advancements

According to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), F1 teams are required to design and
develop highly sophisticated and technologically advanced race cars. This involves extensive research
and development (R&D) in aerodynamics, materials, and powertrains. The need for cutting-edge
technology significantly inflates costs. Data from a study conducted by Motorsport.com in 2020 showed
that F1 teams spend a substantial portion of their budgets on R&D, with some top teams allocating over
20% of their total budget to technological development. This significantly affects the capacity for
technological excellence in its cars.

Evidence: Operational Requirements

F1 teams are required to travel around the world to participate in a 23-race global calendar, which
involves transporting personnel, equipment, and multiple race cars to various international locations.
Each race necessitates a complex logistical operation, adding to the overall expenses.
- A report by Forbes in 2021 highlighted that the operational costs of F1 teams have been rising steadily,
with expenses related to travel, accommodation, and support staff comprising a substantial portion of
their budgets.This reinforces the claim that states that operational requirements are one of the reasons
of high cost of F1

Evidence: Competitive Pressure

- In F1, there is intense competition among teams to secure sponsors and attract top talent, including
drivers and engineers. This competition drives up the costs associated with team personnel salaries,
bonuses, and contractual obligations.
- A study published in the Journal of Sports Economics in 2019 revealed that the pressure to remain
competitive in F1 has led to teams offering increasingly lucrative contracts to drivers, with some top
drivers earning salaries exceeding $40 million per year. This source also validates the claim that reveals
that competitive pressure is also another reason for the high costs in this Motorsport.

In conclusion, the high costs of F1 participation for individuals and teams can be attributed to
technological advancements, operational requirements, and competitive pressure. These factors
combine to create a challenging financial landscape for F1 participants, making it one of the most
expensive sports in the world. All of these sources validate and support the claim, and this is proof that
F1 is not for people who have deep pockets

Pretorius, L. (2023, August 24). Do all Formula 1 drivers come from rich families?. One Stop Racing. https://onestopracing.com/do-all-formula-
1-drivers-come-from-rich-families/

Opong, R., & Founder, R. O. (2023, July 1). Do F1 drivers always come from rich families? (the truth). Flow Racers.
https://flowracers.com/blog/do-f1-drivers-come-from-rich-families/

Gavin, M. L. (Ed.). (2021, January). Snacks (for parents) - nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/snacking.html#:~:text=Healthy%20snacks%20help%20manage%20kids,more%20nutrients%20to
%20their%20diets.