From TV to Track-How F1 Is Powering a UK Karting Boom
Formula 1’s boom is pushing more people than ever into karting, with grassroots tracks seeing fuller grids, younger racers and a big rise in girls getting behind the wheel.
Written by George Cooper
Formula 1’s surge in popularity is pushing more people than ever into karting, with grassroots tracks seeing fuller grids, younger racers and a noticeable rise in girls getting behind the wheel.
Karting has long been the first step in British motorsport, producing names like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Now, with Formula 1 and Formula 2 pulling in record audiences, the impact is being felt at the very bottom of the ladder. F1 reached 1.5 billion global viewers last season, and the British Grand Prix hit its highest-ever attendance. Which is a clear sign of why more young fans are eager to try racing for themselves.
Graphic: Showcasing the rise of Karting alongside the growth in female participation over the span of 5 years.
Motorsport UK called 2024 a “stellar year” for karting, with the British Kart Championships attracting bigger grids and higher standards. Licence numbers are up more than 20 per cent and indoor karting venues have had some of their busiest months on record. Female participation has also jumped, helped by initiatives linked to Jamie Chadwick. The three‑time W Series champion has become a key figure in encouraging more girls into the sport through programmes like Girls on Track UK. “If young girls can see someone like them racing, it becomes easier for them to believe they can do it too,” Chadwick said. That shift is now showing at the grassroots level, where more girls are joining academies and entering club championships.
At TeamSport Go Karting’s Coventry circuit, instructors say the F1 effect is obvious.
“I’ve noticed that even groups of adults, alongside children, have been expressing more interest in purchasing grid start races. The sales of these have skyrocketed over recent years as F2 and other divisions have gotten more popular,”- Toyosi Oyedji - Instructor
Toyosi Oyedeji says the F1 influence is obvious in the paddock. With academy drivers aged 8–15 turning up in team merchandise and even replica race suits, showing how closely they’re connecting what they watch with what they do on track.
Chief instructor Dirar Elmasri says televised Formula 1 battles are directly driving increased turnout at the Coventry karting venue.
“With the current title fight in the world championship, I’ve noticed a spike in driver numbers at our member events, with customers referencing recent races as their reason for coming racing. We’ve also seen more young girls getting involved this year, which has been brilliant. They’re turning up confident and ready to race.”- Dirar Elmasri- Chief Instructor
The result is fuller grids, stronger competition and a healthier pipeline of talent. Karting isn’t just riding the wave of F1’s popularity, it’s becoming the proving ground for the next generation of British racers inspired by what they see on TV. As Formula 1 and Formula 2 continue to expand their reach, karting in the UK looks set to stay at the heart of British motorsport. The numbers show a sport on the rise, driven by excitement, opportunity and ambition.
For more on this story, check out CovFeed across all social media platforms.