You Get to Decide
Choosing between renting, owning, or hiring a team to manage your Formula F depends largely on your racing goals and budget, and how involved you want to be in the technical aspects of the sport.
Renting a car is best for those just starting out or wanting flexibility, or for racing without long-term commitments. Renting with a good team typically offers a competitive advantage — being they have great experience and really know what they’re doing — and relieves often-costly errors all newcomers will make.
Owning and running your own program is ideal if wanting full control, and you are willing to invest the time in learning, finding speed, maintenance, and logistics.
Owning and hiring a professional team is the optimal choice for those wanting performance from the outset, and for continuing benefits over years of racing — especially suited if your regular and business life means you have little free time.
It is essential to evaluate your goals, budget, and level of commitment before making this decision. It is advised to contact both professional teams and experienced privateers to make an educated decision that works for you.
Buying Your Own Car
The Upsides
When you own a Formula car, you have the freedom to spend your finances on what you deem important. From car setup and performance tuning, everything can be adjusted to match your racing style. This is a significant advantage for those who want a more personalized experience. Additionally, while the upfront costs are higher, owning a car eliminates the need for ongoing rental fees, making it a more cost-effective choice for frequent racers.
The Downsides
Owning and running a Formula car is not without its challenges. First, there are many tuning and performance tricks that can take years to understand. Formula cars also require regular maintenance and repair, and you’ll be responsible for all of that. These costs can quickly add up, especially when things go wrong during a race. Managing all the logistics—such as transportation, setup, maintenance, and repairs— is also time-consuming, and again demands expertise that can take years to get a firm grip on.
Renting Someone Else’s Car
Renting a Formula car is the most straightforward and flexible option. It’s ideal for those who want to get involved in racing without the long-term commitment of ownership; not to mention housing and storing the car, buying a tow vehicle and trailer, insurance for everything, and much more.
The Upsides
Renting a car has dramatically less upfront investment compared to buying. For those who race occasionally, this can be the most economical choice. There’s no need to worry about maintenance, repairs, or storage, as the team takes care of all the technical aspects so you can focus entirely on driving. Moreover, renting gives you the flexibility to choose from different teams without the burden of ownership.
The Downsides
The main drawback to renting is the limited ability to personalize the car. Rental cars are typically standardized, and the quality of the car depends on who you are renting it from. Additionally, renting can become expensive if you race regularly. If you damage a rental car, you are required to pay back the team immediately, whereas if you own your own car, you can have it fixed as your budget allows.