Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Why Formula 1 isn't actually failing young drivers

Is Formula 1 really denying young drivers chances? A look at the statistics suggest we've just had a great decade for chances for newcomers - and that it's a matter of quality not just quantity

It has become conventional wisdom that Formula 1 is failing young drivers. That Williams brought 35-year-old Felipe Massa out of retirement to take the seat vacated by Mercedes-bound Valtteri Bottas is regarded as another symptom of this problem.

This year's grid features just one rookie: Lance Stroll. But there's plenty of evidence this is a temporary anomaly and the trend for new opportunities in the last decade has been more encouraging than you might think.

Previous article Loopholes getting harder to find with 2017 F1 rules - Rob Smedley
Next article Formula 1 return not on Ford's radar

More from Edd Straw

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

F1 Formula 1
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

F1 Formula 1
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

F1 Formula 1
Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge
The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare
2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso 2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso
How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe