The journey into squash
Why some people compare squash with Formula 1.
What the Formula 1 comparison gets right about squash, why elite journeys start small, and how any player can find a useful first hit.
In short
The comparison is an informal shorthand, not an official label. Squash demands repeated movement, rapid decisions and concentration under pressure. The more useful parallel with Formula 1 is the pathway: elite drivers usually began in karting, while squash players develop through small, repeatable first experiences that can begin at many ages.
Published by Squash Dog, a trading style of Fagan Consulting Limited. Reviewed 13 October 2026
Coverage note
This independent editorial guide uses plain-text references to Formula 1 and named drivers for identification and commentary. Squash Dog has no affiliation with Formula 1, its teams, drivers or rights holders, and this page does not use their logos, footage, photography, race imagery, trade dress or imply endorsement.
The phrase is a comparison, not a claim
People sometimes call squash the “Formula 1 of racket sports”. It is a vivid way to describe a game that can be fast, physically demanding and mentally absorbing. It is not an official Formula 1 label, nor does it mean the sports are the same.
In a squash rally, the ball may change direction quickly, both players share a confined space and the next decision is rarely made in isolation. Reading the opponent, choosing a shot and recovering to a useful position happen while tired. That combination is why the analogy resonates with some players.
What the comparison gets right
| Squash | Motorsport analogy | The practical lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated bursts of movement and recovery | High physical load within a highly technical task | Build fitness gradually around enjoyable rallies, rather than treating exhaustion as the goal. |
| Quick choices under pressure | Rapid judgement around changing conditions | Learn simple patterns first, then add options as confidence grows. |
| Precision in a confined space | Precision matters when margins are small | Use the right ball, court area and pace to make accuracy possible. |
| Performance still depends on enjoyment | Training needs purpose and consistency | A session someone wants to repeat is more valuable than one heroic first attempt. |
Motorsport people who have played squash
Formula 1 and World Squash have published examples of drivers and motorsport figures who play or have played squash, including Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz Jr. World Squash’s 2023 report also attributes squash participation to Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
These are individual stories, not proof that squash makes somebody faster in a racing car. They do show that players in another high-pressure sport recognise squash as a challenging, enjoyable way to move and compete.
Reported source: Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton Q&A, 3 March 2014
Reported source: Formula 1: Carlos Sainz winter-break coverage, 2022
Reported source: World Squash: Why so many Formula 1 drivers play squash, 17 March 2023
Karting is a better lesson than glamour
Formula 1 may look inaccessible from the grandstand, but its best-known drivers usually learned the craft in karting. Formula 1’s own history records Ayrton Senna’s early kart, Michael Schumacher’s first pedal kart and Lewis Hamilton’s karting rivalry with Nico Rosberg. FIA Karting has also documented karting as part of the early development of champions including Senna, Hamilton and Schumacher.
Karting is not a guarantee of Formula 1, and squash should not promise a champion’s pathway. The parallel is that sophisticated performance is built from foundations: time on task, good guidance, suitable challenges, supportive people and a reason to return.
Reported source: Formula 1: Ayrton Senna Hall of Fame
Reported source: Formula 1: Michael Schumacher Hall of Fame
Reported source: Formula 1: lessons drivers learned by karting
Reported source: FIA Karting: drivers before becoming F1 champions
Every squash journey has a starting point
There is no single age, club or first format that produces a good squash player. A child might begin with catching and target games, a teenager through school, an adult with a colleague, or a returning player with a social session. The important first step is not an adult match played with the hardest ball. It is a playable exchange that creates curiosity and confidence.
From there, the route can be shaped around the person: a rebound wall, a bouncier ball, a parent-and-child session, Squash 57, a beginner group, solo practice, doubles, a qualified coach or a local league. A champion’s story may be inspiring, but the next meaningful rally belongs to the person on court now.
Start small, then make it repeatable
- Ask a venue for an introductory or social session, equipment hire and a ball suitable for beginners.
- Aim for a short cooperative rally before keeping score.
- Choose a format and pace that makes the next visit feel achievable.
- For children, use a parent, school or authorised-organisation route and agree supervision and safeguarding arrangements.
- Ask a qualified coach or organiser about the next realistic step when you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is squash officially called the Formula 1 of racket sports?
No. It is an informal comparison used by some players and commentators. Squash Dog uses it as an editorial analogy, not as an official title or an affiliation with Formula 1.
Do Formula 1 drivers play squash?
Published accounts confirm or report that several motorsport figures have played squash. Individual participation does not establish a general driver-training programme or prove that squash improves driving performance.
Do you have to start squash as a child?
No. People start at many ages. A successful first experience depends more on suitable equipment, pace, supervision and a welcoming next step than on beginning young.
What is the squash equivalent of karting?
There is no direct equivalent. A rebound wall, simple target game, family session, beginner group or social rally can each be a low-pressure entry point. The right first format depends on the person and the place.
Primary sources
The motorsport sources support individual participation, reported anecdotes and early karting pathways. They do not support claims that squash improves racing performance or that Formula 1, teams or drivers endorse Squash Dog. Review before adding any imagery, video, official marks, commercial references or named-person promotional treatment.