Expert: Adam - 2/25/2008

Question
In an answer to a previous question you stated"

"Regarding budgets, assuming the drives are bought rather than earned, a driver should find approximately £50,000 for a successful Formula Ford campaign, £100,000 for F3 and £250,000 for F3000, the rates buying rides with reputable teams."

What does it mean to "buy a drive," or to "buy a seat" with a reputable team?


Answer
Hello Rick, thanks for your question.
(I just got your question, the auto alert feature when a question arrives hasn't been working for some time so you get a prompt message several days later.)

Well, the teams themselves will often have sponsors or maybe take their sponsorship from the driver's sponsors. Only some teams will pay a driver to drive for them at these levels, especially relative novices. For most drivers finding their way in the sport, they have to pay the team to secure a ride in a championship, this is what I was referring to. The teams then use this income to pay for team personnel, testing, spares, fuel, tyres etc etc.

There are even companies now acting as booking agents for drivers, see http://www.motorsportmatch.com/index.cfm

Hope this helps,
Adam