From Poverty to Power: 5 poor kids who became future F1 legends

Many fans think F1 is a sport for the rich and only people with a lot of money and fame can become F1 drivers. If you take the modern-day F1, it is more or less true but during the old times, people from poor backgrounds shined and became F1 legends.

These drivers are an inspiration to many poor kids waiting outside the karting arena, dreaming of becoming F1 drivers one day. The high-class lifestyle and luxury they enjoy now were built through immense hard work and a relentless battle for triumph.

Here are the 5 poor kids who became F1 legends:

5. Michael Schumacher

The legendary Michael Schumacher is the richest Formula 1 driver in history and has earned iconic status. His early days of racing were not glamorous and he couldn't even afford a karting car to learn racing. His father was a bricklayer who later became a karting track manager. His mother worked at the track's canteen. 

Michael Schumacher’s father built him a second-hand go-kart made of thrown parts. The German with his exceptional skills and racing talent impressed many and caught the attention of large sponsors like Mercedes Benz. Then he became a Formula 1 driver and the rest is history.

4. Fernando Alonso

The two-time F1 world champion is one of the richest drivers in F1 history. He is known for his longevity and endurance, which makes him one of the all-time greats. It all started for him when he was three years old and his father Jose Luis Alonso built him a homemade go-kart and introduced him to racing.

Alonso’s family is working class, his father was a mechanic and amateur Karting driver, and his mother worked in a departmental store. The Family couldn't afford money for Fernando Alonso’s racing and training. So, both worked double the time to bring funds for their son, who later became a two-time world champion defeating the great Michael Schumacher.

3. Sebastian Vettel

The German driver was inspired by Michael Schumacher since childhood and wanted to become an F1 driver one day. His family lifestyle couldn’t help his career because his father was an ordinary carpenter and his mother was a housewife. 

Like every father, Norbert Vettel worked hard to make his son a karting driver. Sebastian with his karting skills was easily recognised and was taken care of by the Red Bull’s junior driver program. From there it was all a complete success for Sebastian vettel and he became a four-time world champion and one of the all-time greats just like his hero Michael.

2. Lewis Hamilton

The Modern GOAT is simply exceptional with his raw talent for racing. Even at 40, Lewis looks indestructible when it comes to winning races. The man was poor during his childhood, as he learnt karting in a fourth-hand car. His father Anthony worked multiple jobs as a salesman, IT Manager, and contractor.

Despite all financial struggles, Lewis won many karting Championships and was spotted by the McLaren team at 13. They took him along with Mercedes for their driver development program and he became the 7-time World Champion and one of most important icons of the sport.

1. Kimi Raikkonen

The Iceman is one of the most favourite for many fans and co-drivers. Kimi was born in a lower-middle-class family in Finland. His father Matti Raikkonen was a road builder and his mother was a clerk. Kimi Raikkonen lived in a container home with an outdoor toilet with his brothers. 

As Raikkonen showed interest in racing, Matti Raikkonen bought second-hand engines and parts at a low price from other rich kids and built a homemade kart. But his natural skill for racing was soon visible and he gained many sponsors and became an F1 world champion. 

Also Read: Top 5 Richest F1 Drivers of All Time – Net Worth & Earnings