Life Lessons: A Formula 1 Perspective Through the Lens of a 12-year Old!

Written by Dearest Son

I will live to love Formula 1 for the rest of my life!

From as long as I can remember, I’ve been a fan of the intensity and passion that Formula 1 brings to the screen. During Formula 1 season, I always look forward to the race build-up which starts on Friday and finishes on Sunday. It will be something that I will live to love for the rest of my life!

Of course, I had to find out about the sport in some way. Once upon a time, I couldn’t go to Google and type ‘cool sports that I might like’ (not like people do that anyway) but that’s beside the point. I discovered the amazing sport through my parents. They have always shared their interest in Formula 1 with me. Before I knew it, I was explaining the meaning of DRS zone, analysing stats and explaining other technical stuff to my mum! Formula 1 is truly a ‘gut-gripping’ sport.
 
However, I don’t really share my love of Formula 1 with any of my friends. For some reason, it’s not popular with most kids. Some of my friends don’t even like sports at all! That has never stopped my drive to get to the weekend, switch on the TV, and watch my favourite driver, Lewis Hamilton compete with the other drivers for points and top spots.
 
From funny jokes to hilarious commentators, I can tell you without a doubt that this sport is far from boring! “Oh, the races are so predictable,” some people might say. Well, yes, until the leader’s car blows up and has to be taken off the track by a crane the same size as some egos! A safety car rolls up, pulling all the cars together, and before you know it, PING-PONG and the race is on! It is pure chaos. Tyres flying off and getting punctured, bits of carbon fibre flying all over the place, races screeching to an abrupt end as car engineers hold their heads in shock or awe! Can I tell you something? Formula 1 races are two planets away from predictable!

​Life lessons from Formula One

You will be surprised to see how racing on a weekend in Azerbaijan in the cold bitter rain can relate to life. Here are top inspirational lessons from Formula 1. ​​

1. No matter how bad the start is, it doesn't mean your whole race/ life is over.
Everyone goes through unpredictable events and moments of panic. It keeps on coming and when it does, you are filled with doubt and utter disbelief. You feel like you have been torn apart and there is no way you can possibly pick yourself up. But just like when miraculous comebacks happen that no one believed for a second, damn right, you too can pick yourself up again. It’s not the end until the end. For most people, the end is the beginning!

2. Teamwork makes the dream work. I know, cringe, but it’s true.
Some Formula 1 fans will say teamwork is a controversial topic. I only have to say "Valtteri, it’s James!" and fans will get what I mean. Although it doesn’t look like it, there is always a lot of teamwork involved. It could mean slowing down and blocking the driver behind so your teammate can get past, or giving your teammate a healthy portion of slipstream (it’s technical). Well, these examples portray teamwork in a way that involves ‘cheating’ to get your friends good results. 

A more useful way of explaining teamwork are the pit stops. 

They are one of my favourite parts of the race, and you really need teamwork to perform well. Pit stops make or break a race. It’s when a driver comes into the pit for repairs or fresh tyres. Everyone has to do this at least once during a race. There will be a lot of people in the pit crew, and everyone has a specific job. If one person messes up, valuable time will be lost. You need to work as a team to not only get the best results for yourself, but also for the rest of your team.
 
This example is rather tantamount to real life. Whatever you are doing, doing it alone will get the worst results. Whatever journey you are going through, you are going to need other people. You will need their help and they’re going to need yours. It’s just the way of the road!
 
3.  It’s cool to be different.
Let me introduce you to my sister. She is a hardcore fan of current Renault driver, Daniel Ricciardo. Although my mum, dad, and I are always rooting for Lewis Hamilton, she has been a fan of Ricciardo for a long time. Now, my sister doesn’t watch the races in the same fashion as when I'm watching with my mum or when I go to dad’s house. Every time she sees us watching the race, freaking out over something which always has nothing to do with Ricciardo, she always asks this, “How is Ricciardo doing?” That is a true fan right there! My sister always wants to know what's happening with him, even though he is rarely in the limelight. I understand how she feels, because I’m the only one in the family who owns a Samsung phone, and know what it’s like to fight for what you love  against I-Phone users. 

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​#TeamLH all the way!

Although some people may be surprised, Lewis Hamilton is not one of the favourites in the Formula 1 community. But I have always been a fan of Hamilton, from his McLaren days to Mercedes. Unpopular opinion I know, I actually like Lewis Hamilton's personality. He is a good driver, determined to succeed and works hard. I find him likeable and inspirational. A lot of Formula 1 fans will think otherwise, but I will be a Lewis Hamilton fan, and overall, a Mercedes fan forever and ever. Did I tell you that my mum has made me wear a Ferrari t-shirt, only because she found it on sale at TK Maxx?

For most people, the end is the beginning.

Formula 1 Favourite Picks 

There are a lot of tracks all around the world; 21 different ones, which they drive in a year. I have 3 favourites: Monza Italy, Monaco and Singapore. “Why do you like these tracks in particular?” some of you may wonder. Well, I will tell you why.

Monza, Italy
I love this track because of the sheer speed. It’s one of the fastest tracks out of them all. Unlike the other race tracks, Monza doesn’t have that many turns, making it much easier to gain speed.
 
Monaco
This one is special to every F1 fan, because of one main thing, CHAOS! It’s tight, it has so many turns, almost every Monaco race has a safety car, and to top it all off, its next to the ocean. Yes. Next to the ocean.
 
Singapore
Love Singapore simply because of the way it looks. The lights, the fireworks…it is just beautiful. As the cars go by, you can see the mesmerising shine reflecting off the chassis. I love it.
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There will be a lot of people in the pit crew, and everyone has a specific job. If one person messes up, valuable time will be lost. You need to work as a team to not only get the best results for yourself, but also for the rest of your team.  
-Dearest Son

F1 Esports is Trending

There’s just so much to love about Formula 1. Not only do I watch the races on a weekend, but in between that time, I like to spend quite a bit of time watching YouTubers (especially Aarava and Tiametmarduk) play the game. I have recently started following F1 Esports. 
 
For those of you who don't know what F1 Esports is, it’s competitive gaming. The better you do, the more you get paid. You can get assigned to teams and can even get contracts. It’s pretty much Formula 1, but online. I have been in a few different Esports tournaments myself. Although I don't do that great in them, I always find it fun to get a chance to play a game you love for money. I enjoy Esports events a lot and find it very amusing to watch as well as play. It’s so realistic too. In F1 Esports, they have proper simulators and steering wheels. It looks like getting in a legitimate Formula 1 car. 

Conclusion
As you can tell, there is so much to like about Formula 1. There’s always something new to learn, whether it’s about life or when real life meets the virtual world! It's by far one of my favourite sports. I haven't actually been to a race in person before, but one day, I’ll be travelling around the world, visiting the tracks and experiencing the real Formula 1 life.
 
The End