Time after time in the F1 Twitter community, I see fans commenting that older drivers, such as Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso - to name but a handful, should make way for the up and coming generation of drivers from the likes of Formula 2 and Formula 3. But, should we be thinking this? Do the older guys still have what it takes? Is it really time for them to retire?
The average age of the 2021 Formula One driver line up is 27, with the majority of drivers being under 25. There is then the other end of the spectrum, the older guys. One of them is in their forties. Another is just off that. Where as some others are in their mid-thirties. Are these guys too "old" to be racing? I don't think so, after all, age is just a number.
Let's look at the four oldest drivers on the grid; Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Coincidentally, they are also the four drivers that have been on the grid the longest but between the four of them there are 14 World Driver Championships with Lewis achieving SIX of them in the past six years. However, out of these four, Lewis is the only one to still be racing for a top team. As for the other three, I think it's very important that they've found a home with mid-field teams. They may not be at the front of the field fighting for wins and podiums. They may only be just about scrapping it out for that final point but that shouldn't mean they shouldn't be there. These men still have the passion for motor sport. They still enjoy getting into the car and racing. And, most importantly, they are bringing their experience and expertise into their teams. Regardless, it's fair to say, they have as much right to be on the grid as anyone; young or old.
But, you could argue this. There are only 20 seats. In the past there have been more but now it is just a mere 20. There are also thousands upon thousands of young drivers out there itching for a chance in the pinnacle of motor sport that is Formula One. Why are they not getting the chances they deserve?
Lets look at Max Verstappen. A young driver who got his chance in F1 at 18 years of age with only a years experience in single seater racing. Surely, that's a disaster waiting to happen? I thought so but Max has proved me wrong. In fact, he is currently on track to win his first World Drivers Championship this year at age 24. However, he won't be the youngest. That record belongs to one of our older drivers; Sebastian Vettel. Does this indicate the younger a driver is, the better they perform? Possibly. But let's not forget, despite the evolution of Formula One, that Juan Manuel Fangio currently holds the record of the oldest World Drivers Champion. One he achieved at age 46 in 1957.
There are also plenty of other young guns such as Lando Norris and George Russell that are making an impression on Formula One fans this season, so, I completely understand why these fans are finding themselves completely in awe of the younger generation coming through. In fact, I'm also extremely excited to see what the future holds for Formula One and these younger drivers. It's an exciting prospect.
Still, referring back to our OAPs of the sport, they deserve to be here racing at the very top. They may not be at their best anymore but they are achieving things in other ways. They are passionate and we should still count ourselves extremely lucky to be able to watch them. They are World Champions after all.
Yes, unfortunately drivers in junior series will miss out on a seat in F1. We've been deprived of talent before (Antonio Felix da Costa, for example) and unfortunately, we will get deprived again. But, lets not blame the older guys. Maybe we should be pointing our fingers elsewhere as to why there are not enough seats? A financial aspect, maybe? Regardless, Formula One is a cut throat sport. You either make it or you don't.
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