Originally Posted by A3aan

Only top 3 in F1 actually makes money, the rest has to pay... The drivers aren't the best either, there just having fun, but there are many much better drivers that can't afford F1.

The best example must be Valentino Rossi, I remember that he had the opportunity to drive an Ferrari F1 car once, on that first day he broke all records Schumi had on that track

Originally Posted by ADV.1 Matt

I just started getting really into F1 last year and have never really been interested in Nascar but as I get more familiar with all the ins and outs of professional race teams (Specifically F1) and the massive expense to run and operate these teams I guess i'm a bit disheartened to find out almost all of the current F1 drivers were/are multimillionaires prior to coming into the sport and some get to drive specifically because their family can bring X millions to the team for the year.

Button's Dad... rich. Hamilton's Dad... rich. Webber seems to be one of the few that truly fought his way up through the ranks over a long time unless i'm missing something?

I guess part of me wishes that talent and talent alone would determine who the elite drivers are in the world but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I guess as with any sport - those that succeed start at a young age and have the financial backing to do so (be it football or go karts). Just wanted to know what you guys all thought on it?

Has there been a time in F1 when a true grass roots come from nothing hero was given the chance to compete on the world stage based on their raw talent?

Originally Posted by bdeitemeyer

Link to source on that? I thought I recall him setting decent lap times (within a second or two of typical F1 drivers), but no records.

Anyhow, that's not a great example. If you'll recall last year's season finale and the testing that took place shortly thereafter...Ricciardo's best time in Vettel's car was quicker than the pole for that final GP, but it just means that with enough time to set hot lap after hot lap anything can happen (especially with variable weather conditions).