What is an F1 driver?

F1 drivers are professional athletes who compete in Formula 1, the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. They drive highly advanced and technologically sophisticated racing cars at speeds often exceeding 200 mph on circuits around the world. F1 drivers require exceptional skill, physical fitness, and mental focus to handle the demands of racing and to work closely with their teams to optimize car performance. Only a select few make it to this elite level, often after years of competing in lower racing categories.