Hamilton urges FIA to tackle motorsport cost barrier
NXTbets Pro | Published On: June 23, 2026
Hamilton warns FIA
Lewis Hamilton is pressing the FIA and Formula 1 to tackle the rising cost of motorsport, saying karting has become "ridiculous" and the sport is moving in the "wrong direction" because only families with major money can keep a driver on the ladder. He described the barrier as a structural problem and said it keeps children from lower- and middle-income families out of the pipeline before they get a chance to show talent. The numbers show the scale of the issue. Costs in the junior ladder can climb from about £130,000 for an eight-year-old karting program to roughly £2 million to £2.3 million in Formula 2. Hamilton said the current system favors drivers whose families can pay for million-dollar development pathways, which leaves grassroots racing less accessible and narrows the pool of young talent. His comments add to a wider debate around how motorsport finds the next generation. The issue starts at the entry level, where families face steep bills before a child reaches senior categories. Hamilton wants stronger action from the FIA and Formula 1 to make grassroots motorsport more financially accessible and ease the cost barrier that now shapes the first steps.
Russell and O’Sullivan
George Russell backed that view by saying aspiring drivers likely need to be millionaires to have a realistic chance of reaching Formula 1. Russell's family reportedly spent about £1 million over 12 years on his racing career before Mercedes funded his progress through GP3 and Formula 2. The cost of karting today can match what Mercedes once spent on Russell in GP3, a comparison that shows how much entry-level racing has climbed. Zak O’Sullivan gave a current example of how that pressure can stop a career path before it reaches the top. Funding problems ended his 2024 Formula 2 campaign early, even after he won races in Monaco and Belgium. O’Sullivan said modern motorsport is driven by "motorsport inflation" and the constant need to secure sponsorship money. He also said Formula 1 is no longer a realistic target for him. The two drivers point to the same problem from different stages of the ladder. One reached the top with heavy outside support. The other saw a promising season cut short because the money ran out. Their experiences show how financial backing now shapes who stays in the race and who drops out before the next step.
Verstappen and Ocon
Max Verstappen said karting costs are rising rapidly and suggested simulators, Formula 4 and GT racing could provide lower-cost ways to identify talent. His view points to a search for more affordable routes into elite motorsport at a time when the traditional karting-to-single-seater ladder has become harder to fund. Haas driver Esteban Ocon said he would not be able to restart his career under today’s financial conditions, a blunt reminder of how much the cost of entry has changed. He pointed to the FIA’s three-year Global Karting Plan as an initial attempt to reduce barriers to entry. Maisy Creed, who is 16, adds another layer to the same issue. She is described as the first female PF International X30 junior champion and has worked to reduce karting costs while seeking sponsorship to move into F1 Academy. Her path shows the level of support young drivers need before they can even take the next step. Between Verstappen's push for alternatives, Ocon's warning and Creed's search for backing, the financial wall around motorsport remains the central concern.
