In fact, the majority of famous Formula 1 drivers began their racing journeys in karting - names such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher; many of whom ran Tillett equipment in kart.
The reasons are manyfold, first and foremost the entry-level end of the sport is relatively affordable when compared to higher-level motorsports. It’s also very accessible for younger
drivers, who are able to quickly get the hang of basic racing techniques such as cornering, braking, and overtaking - and all in a relatively safe and controlled environment.
As drivers progress through the ranks of karting, the relevance with Formula 1 is even more apparent. Here, physical fitness becomes much more important, and drivers are exposed to the type of physical demands they will face in higher-level racing series like F1. They will also be exposed to a highly competitive racing environment, learning how to handle - and perform - under pressure and develop a winning mentality.
Just as in F1, karts demand precise handling and exceptional driving skills. Whilst F1 cars are of course much larger, more powerful, and technologically more advanced, they share very similar challenges when it comes to driving dynamics.
Setting up both vehicles to deliver the optimum on-track performance requires a very high degree of technical understanding. Drivers learn to assess and adjust kart setups, including tire pressures, chassis adjustments, and gear ratios. This technical knowledge provides a valuable foundation for understanding and communicating with engineers when progressing to more advanced racing series.
As one of karting’s pre-eminent seat suppliers, Tillett has been involved in the sport as a manufacturer, as team engineers and as drivers. The resulting continual feedback loop gives Tillett a distinct competitive advantage, enabling the Company to interpret the nuances of driving dynamics and develop innovative technical solutions which directly satisfy the needs of the driver - in terms of performance, comfort and safety.
Because performance road cars are essentially exposed to very similar driving dynamics and forces, lots of the racing technology is directly transferable to the Tillett road seat range. Seats like the new B10 are manufactured in the same UK engineering facility as the racing seats, and share lots of the same design features, construction techniques and materials.
Tillett seats are unmistakable with their stark, pared-back design - often featuring little or no padding at all. However, it is a total misconception that a Tillett seat is uncomfortable. If simply adding padding improved comfort, then from both a manufacturing and cost perspective, doing so would be incredibly easy.
The reality is that a Tillett seat is actually more comfortable - and over longer distances - than the heavily padded seats available from other performance brands. This is yet another carry over from the racing programme, where a perfect fit is critical in supporting every contact point where the driver interfaces with the seat.
Tillett seats look, feel and perform differently to any other seat on the market today. This is thanks to a unique (and closely guarded) manufacturing system which is part craftsmanship, part technical know-how and part materials technology.
From research and design to prototype testing and manufacture by hand - every step of our process is rooted in no-compromise quality.
