There are many exciting talents signed to F1 junior programmes, but what about the promising drivers knocking on the door who do not have such vital support?
Ida Wood's articles on RaceFans

Often found in junior single-seater paddocks around Europe doing journalism and television commentary, or dabbling in teaching Photography back in the UK. Currently based in London pursuing parallel studies in Arts Management at Birkbeck, the city’s evening university.
Mercedes ‘not close enough to Ferrari and Red Bull to really fight them yet’ – Wolff
2022 F1 season
Posted onMercedes team principal Toto Wolff is not convinced the team’s strong performance in recent races shows they are on the cusp of fighting for wins.
Two black-and-orange flags in five races “a bit strange” for Magnussen
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Two black-and-orange flags in five races “strange” – Magnussen • Krack expects “105%” from retiring Vettel • Work begins on new Detroit track
FIA plans new Formula 2 engine to run on sustainable fuel from 2024
Formula 2
Posted onThe FIA has issued an invitation for engine manufacturers to tender for a contract to supply new power units to the Formula 2 championship from 2024 to 2026.
The making of the F1 newcomer who stunned the sport by saying ‘no’ to Alpine
2022 F1 season
Posted onOscar Piastri clearly has an alternative to Alpine lined up for 2023, but why was his rejection of their claim to his services so unexpectedly forceful?
Aston Martin expect rivals will copy novel rear wing by Singapore GP
2022 Hungarian Grand Prix
Posted onAston Martin’s Mike Krack anticipates that rival teams will have copied his team’s innovative rear wing design by October’s Singapore GP
Norris practising ‘mind soothing’, not mind games, on Ricciardo
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Norris offering Ricciardo “more help than I normally would” • Super Formula reveals 2023 calendar • McLaren ‘seeking to buy Ricciardo out of contract’
Ricciardo’s recipe for his TV show is ‘F1 reality but with a bit of Hollywood’
2022 F1 season
Posted onDaniel Ricciardo told RaceFans his upcoming television series based on Formula 1 will be “completely different” to Netflix documentary Drive to Survive.
‘A shame’, ‘just about money’: F1 drivers fear Spa’s next grand prix will be its last
2022 Belgian Grand Prix
Posted onFormula 1 drivers have already expressed disappointment over the widely-expected loss of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Rossi keeps Indianapolis win despite car ballast violation
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Rossi keeps Indianapolis win after car ballast violation • Indy Lights temporarily loses a team • McLaren’s Ugochukwu to race for Prema in Germany
Ricciardo eager for summer break after “not the six months I wanted”
2022 Hungarian Grand Prix
Posted onDaniel Ricciardo is eagerly anticipating the month-long break between the Hungarian and Belgian grands prix after a disappointing start to his second season at McLaren.
Gasly pleased FIA is considering “different options” for track limits policing in 2023
2022 Hungarian Grand Prix
Posted onPierre Gasly had a lengthy discussion with Formula 1’s race directors in Hungary about track limits policing after his qualifying was ruined by a deleted lap
Perez rues VSC after falling short of podium places in Hungary
RaceFans Round-up
Posted onIn the round-up: Perez rues VSC after falling short of podium places in Hungary • Haas “couldn’t switch on” hard tyre • F1 calendar too long for me to get a dog – Gasly
Sargeant to make F1 practice debut in home round at COTA
2022 United States Grand Prix
Posted onWilliams junior driver Logan Sargeant will make his debut in an official Formula 1 practice session at his home round of the championship, the United States Grand Prix.
Why the next karting prodigy won’t reach F1 as quickly as its newest champion did
News focus
Posted onIt isn’t just the FIA’s superlicence rules which prevents young racing prodigies reaching Formula 1 as quickly as Max Verstappen did.
How F1’s greenest debutant defied his doubters and left as its most experienced racer
2021 F1 season review
Posted onKimi Raikkonen left Formula 1 as the most experienced driver ever. But two decades earlier his inexperience threatened to deny him his debut.
How Zhou’s F1 promotion opens a key door for Piastri’s future
2022 F1 Season
Posted onOscar Piastri’s F2 title led to questions of why he won’t be in F1 next year but Guanyu Zhou will. But both drivers’ circumstances differ…
Analysis: The four minutes that changed the destiny of the 2021 world championship
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onAcross a four-minute period late in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi changed his mind on a decision which ultimately determined which driver won the world championship.
Race control’s “strange” decision on lapped cars nearly cost me podium – Sainz
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onCarlos Sainz Jnr was one of many drivers who were perplexed by the Safety Car un-lapping procedure towards the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Norris: Race director’s lapped cars decision ‘was for TV’
2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Posted onLando Norris says the decision by FIA race director Michael Masi to allow only a limited number of drivers to unlap themselves behind the safety car late in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was “for the TV” spectacle.